“It’s déjà vu all over again.” Yogi Berra’s famous quip perfectly sums up the collective frustration of Twins fans as they watch Royce Lewis endure yet another setback. Once again, the promising star found himself in an all too familiar situation grimacing in pain, clutching his leg, and limping off the field. For a player overflowing with talent but constantly sidelined, the frustration isn’t just his own, it’s boiling over among fans and for the team that has been trapped in a cycle of injuries to key players. After all, in sports, “the best ability is availability,” and for Lewis, that has become an increasingly elusive trait.

In a disheartening turn of events for the Twins, Royce Lewis exited Sunday’s spring training game against the Red Sox due to a left hamstring strain. The injury occurred as Lewis pulled up abruptly while running out a ground ball in the second inning, visibly favoring his left leg before leaving the field. This setback is particularly concerning given Lewis’s history of injuries. The 25-year-old infielder, selected first overall in the 2017 MLB Draft, missed the entire 2021 season after tearing his right ACL during a winter storm incident at his Texas home.

He underwent ACL surgery on the same knee again in June 2022. In 2023, Lewis faced additional challenges, missing significant time due to an oblique injury and later a left hamstring issue. The following year, he suffered a quadriceps injury on Opening Day, sidelining him for about two months. Given his injury history, the Twins are expected to exercise extreme caution in his rehabilitation process.

Xavier Scruggs, speaking on MLB Radio, commented on the potential duration of Lewis’s recovery: “From the soft tissue issues, this is going to be a longer recovery. No matter what grade it is, and it doesn’t look like a grade one the way he stopped down the first baseline, but no matter what grade it is for him, now it’s a point to where recovery is going to be longer as they’re going to take every single precaution with him because they know it’s something that’s been reoccurring.”

The Twins had high hopes for Lewis’s contributions this season, envisioning a formidable lineup with a consistently healthy Byron Buxton, Carlos Correa, and Royce Lewis. However, Lewis’s recurring injuries have prevented this vision from becoming a reality. With numerous lower-body injuries, the team continues to miss the opportunity to see their ideal lineup in action over a full season. Commenting on this Scruggs further adds, “It’s just another reminder of how important it is to keep your body, you know, to be able to go in on a day-to-day basis.”

While Royce Lewis and other injuries pose challenges for the Twins, the franchise remains committed to delivering an electric start to the season. The upcoming 2025 Home Opener at Target Field, presented by Your Local Northland Ford Dealers, is shaping up to be more than just a baseball game—it’s a grand celebration of the sport, the team, and the community.

Twins’ 2025 home opener promises an unforgettable fan experience

Kicking off the festivities, the Twins will host their traditional “Breakfast on the Plaza” from 6:00 to 9:00 a.m. Fans are invited to drive, walk, or bike to 7th Street, adjacent to the Twins New Era Team Store, to enjoy a complimentary ballpark-inspired breakfast. Offerings include breakfast bars, hot dogs, chips, ice cream, coffee, and pop, courtesy of Twins partners. The event will feature live music from DJ Mad Mardigan and a live broadcast of The Morning News with Vineeta Sawkar on Audacy’s 830 WCCO. Attendees will also have the chance to win tickets to the Home Opener and Opening Weekend.

At 1:00 p.m., Twins legends Tony Oliva (Gate 6) and Kent Hrbek (Gate 14) will officially open their namesake entrances, welcoming fans back to the ballpark. The first 10,000 fans through the gates will receive a Twins City Connect Beanie, courtesy of Your Local Northland Ford Dealers, featuring the logo and color scheme of the Twins’ Nike City Connect uniforms.

Highlighting the pregame ceremonies, former Twins designated hitter Nelson Cruz, affectionately known as “Boomstick,” will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Cruz was the heart and soul of the 2019 “Bomba Squad” and a 2021 American League All-Star. In honor of the late Michael Brindisi, longtime President and Artistic Director of Chanhassen Dinner Theatres (CDT), the National Anthem will be performed by cast members of CDT’s current production, “GREASE.” This tribute acknowledges Brindisi’s legacy and contributions to the arts community.

The traditional Home Opener flyover will feature two F-16 Fighting Falcons from the Minnesota National Guard’s 148th Fighter Wing, based out of Duluth. Additionally, the Twins Territory flag will be raised by longtime friends Steve Ellingboe and Roger Faber, who have attended every Twins Home Opener together since 1975, marking 50 years of shared baseball memories. While the Home Opener celebrations showcase the team’s rich history and deep connection with its fans, the uncertainty surrounding Royce Lewis’ recovery casts a shadow over their early season.

How different would this team look if Lewis, Byron Buxton, and Carlos Correa could all stay on the field together for a full season? These are the questions that haunt the fanbase as they prepare to cheer for a team that, on paper, has the talent to be a contender—but in reality, has been repeatedly undone by injuries.