Royce Lewis was called back up from Triple-A on Saturday, rejoining the Twins' lineup just 19 days after a demotion to St. Paul that initially seemed likely to last quite a bit longer. To his credit, Lewis forced the issue with his bat and his glove to change the team's thinking.
He hit .340 with eight homers in 13 games for the Saints to remind everyone of the once-immense offensive upside that went missing for most of the past three seasons. And he ventured out of his comfort zone by getting work at second base and first base, opening up additional defensive paths back to the Twins.
Now we'll see if Lewis can take advantage of this sooner-than-expected chance to reestablish himself as a core lineup piece. He's in line to start regularly, likely bouncing around in a multi-positional role that includes third base, second base, first base, and designated hitter. He's been saying and doing all the right things.
Lewis started at second base on Saturday, later moving to first base so that Luke Keaschall could stay in the game at second base after entering as a pinch-hitter. Lewis was back at first base on Sunday, starting his first career MLB game there while Keaschall returned to the starting lineup at his usual second base.
That's notable because Keaschall, like Lewis, has recently been practicing at first base to expand his flexibility and, unlike Lewis, he has some pre-2026 experience at the position in the minors. It signals, for now at least, Keaschall's starting job is secure and Lewis is seen more as a utility player with a first base emphasis.