Twins rookie Royce Lewis lost for season w/ torn ACL

A torn ACL has ended Royce Lewis’ rookie season with the Twins after just 12 appearances. Manager Rocco Baldelli announced Friday Lewis needs surgery to repair a partially torn ACL in his right knee for a second straight year.

Lewis injured the knee crashing into the outfield wall on May 28th during his first game playing centerfield.

Typical recovery time for the injury is twelve months.

The injury was initially diagnosed as a bone bruise, and Lewis was placed on the 10-day injured list.

The torn ligament is the same knee Lewis suffered a torn ACL prior to Spring Training in 2021. That injury required surgery and cost him the entire 2021 season.

The Twins made Lewis the #1 overall draft pick in 2017 and he’s the franchise’s top prospect, but this will be the third consecutive season he’ll miss significant time.

Lewis didn’t play in 2020 when the pandemic wiped out the entire minor league baseball season.

Lewis just turned 23 on Sunday. He made his Twins debut May 6th and batted .300 with two home runs and five RBI in 40 at-bats in 12 games.

Before his call-up, Lewis played 34 games this season with the Twins AAA-affiliate in St Paul, batting .314 with 5 home runs and 14 RBI.