Royce Lewis singles, steals a base in return to action in St. Paul

Lewis has been injured since the first game of the season.

Oct 11, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis (23) reacts after hitting a solo home-run in the first inning against the Houston Astros during game four of the ALDS for the 2023 MLB playoffs at Target Field Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports / Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Royce Lewis' return from injury got off to a strong start at Triple-A St. Paul Saints Saturday.

The Twins' star has been out of action since pulling up during the second at-bat of the season – having homered during the first – against the Kansas City Royals on opening day, and was later diagnosed with a severe right quad strain.

And after almost two months on the sidelines, Lewis didn't show any signs of rust in his first return to the plate, smacking a 105mph single to center.

OK #MNTwins fans we're going to show you three successive videos that will showcase Royce Lewis. Try to stay calm. First AB, singles up the middle at 105 mph pic.twitter.com/jPErqtLUX4

— St. Paul Saints (@StPaulSaints) May 25, 2024

He then proceeded to steal second base, and then scored on a DaShawn Keirsey Jr. single.

After the single, first pitch and Royce takes off and steals 2nd pic.twitter.com/j9oFSsbqBJ

— St. Paul Saints (@StPaulSaints) May 25, 2024

It now remains to be seen how many games Lewis will play in St. Paul before rejoining the Twins, who are third place in the AL Central, 6.5 games behind the Cleveland Guardians.

On Friday, Carlos Correa expressed excitement about Lewis' impending return, saying: "He's a difference-maker and a game-changer.

“The fact that we will get him back soon is exciting. Adding him to our lineup, it's going to boost the lineup in a big way. So I'm excited for him to just go out there, take it day by day, and go through his things, show everybody that he's ready, and then come back here and help us.”