MINNEAPOLIS -- Twins third baseman Royce Lewis went through a workout on Wednesday that he hopes constitutes his final tests before a Minor League rehabilitation assignment. Lewis ran the bases and practiced sliding, and if he recovers well from the activity, his next step should be to appear in a game.
¡°I just go through the progression as is,¡± Lewis said. ¡°I don¡¯t know the whole plan as much, and so I¡¯m just excited that it¡¯s all going really well. It feels good for me. ¡ I¡¯ve been through this unfortunately enough where I know you¡¯ve got to check off some things like baserunning and sliding and doing all that before you get into games.¡±
Lewis suffered the left hamstring strain running out a ball in a March 16 game. He has been ramping up his activities, with increased running and sprinting in recent days, as well as adding in team defensive work and plenty of hitting in the cage.
He¡¯s confident that he shouldn¡¯t need too much adjustment to live pitching.
¡°I don¡¯t want to sound cocky but I believe in myself,¡± he said. ¡°Without any experience, I could hit on one leg and still be great. I just trust in my baseball ability. God gave me some great gifts.¡±
It is most likely that Lewis will be sent to Triple-A St. Paul when his rehab assignment begins. The Saints are home Friday, Saturday and Sunday before going on the road to Columbus next week.