7 October 2023
HOUSTON — The Twins are not ruling out the potential for Royce Lewis to get back out to third base in the American League Division Series. But they’re also not going to rush him into the field, either.
Lewis, who strained his left hamstring Sept. 19, has been making what Rocco Baldelli called “gradual progress,” but the Twins are going to be careful as they proceed with him, letting him serve as their designated hitter for the time being.
Baldelli said the rookie was in a good place to help the team win games — as he did in Game 1 of the Wild Card Series with two home runs — but he wasn’t at a spot yet where he or the medical staff felt comfortable sticking Lewis at third base.
“We can’t put him in a spot where he’s going to stretch himself and compromise himself,” Baldelli said. “So when we’ve gotten over that point, over that hump, then we’ll do it. Then we’ll put him out in the infield and let him go. We’re just not quite at that point yet.”
Lewis took groundballs Friday during the team’s workout, and president of Derek Falvey said they weren’t committed to him not taking the field, saying the club would keep an open mind to it throughout the course of the series.
In Saturday’s Game 1 against the Astros, Jorge Polanco was back at third base with Edouard Julien at second base. Polanco has had his difficulties at third since first starting to get his feet wet there in July. But Falvey reiterated the Twins are confident in his abilities there, despite a tough two games defensively during the Wild Card Series.
“We know he can play it,” Falvey said.
And with Lewis still out of the field, the Twins believe that’s what they have to do to have their best lineup against righties. Polanco has started all three games of the playoffs there but could very likely be at second base with Julien on the bench to start Sunday’s game against Houston lefty Framber Valdez.
“I think it just gives — with what we have right now, with some of the limitations we have with Royce, the ability to get the best bats in the lineup ultimately, for Jorge to play third and Eddy to play second, I think it works out really well for us,” Falvey said. “We’ll continue to progress him over there.”
Twins set roster
The Twins made just one alteration to the roster, swapping in starter Bailey Ober, who took the ball on Saturday, for reliever Kody Funderburk.
Though Funderburk is a lefty and the Astros feature potent lefties in Yordan Alvarez and Kyle Tucker, both hit lefties well, and the Twins ultimately decided to carry outfielder Andrew Stevenson, who provides speed and can be a defensive replacement.
Lewis’ defensive limitations for the time being also played into the Twins wanting to carry a deeper position player group. They are carrying 14 position players and 12 pitchers for the ALDS.
“You want to have it all is what you want. … I would like to have Fundy on the roster, too, and he’s been good,” Baldelli said. “He’s been good against both righties and lefties. But no team has that luxury.”
It’s not particularly surprising, but the Twins left Byron Buxton off the roster for this round, too. Baldelli said Buxton would have to run and feel pretty good doing it, and he would also have to potentially play in the field, too, if they were going to include him on the roster.
“He’s definitely improved. He looks, I’d say, pretty good. We’ll take that,” Baldelli said. “Let’s keep playing. Let’s keep winning games and keep winning series and keep having to push Buck and see just where he can get and see if we can get him active.”
Briefly
The Twins announced sellouts for Game 3 and a potential Game 4 next week at Target Field. … The Twins welcomed more than 10,000 fans into Target Field for a Game 1 watch party. They will have another watch party at the ballpark on Sunday. Entry is free and concession stands and the team store will be open.