Minnesota Twins recalled infielder Royce Lewis from Triple‑A St. Paul on Saturday, less than three weeks after the former No. 1 draft pick was demoted to refine swing mechanics and position flexibility. Lewis, 27, had batted .163 with three homers and 37 strikeouts in 104 at‑bats when the Twins sent him down on May 19.

In St. Paul, Lewis posted a sharp .333 hit line, driving 10 home runs in 15 games. He also shifted to first and second base after spending most of his Twins tenure at third. Manager Derek Shelton praised his work ethic, saying he deserved a return because of his performance for the club's spring training season.

Lewis, the first pick in the 2017 amateur draft, has battled injuries, including two torn ACLs and multiple oblique and hamstring strains. His return signals a fresh push to solidify the Twins’ infield depth amid a roster shuffle that saw outfielder James Outman designated for assignment in the current season’s competitive landscape for the team and fans.

With a .333 average and 10 homers at Triple‑A, Lewis is positioned to compete for a regular spot as the Twins look to improve their offensive output. The move also frees a roster spot, allowing the club to address other gaps while keeping a former top prospect in the organization for future playoff contention.