Royce Lewis wasted no time making an impact in the 2026 season as he blasted a home run on the very first pitch he faced Saturday. The Minnesota Twins third baseman sent a towering 413-foot drive over the berm at Lee Health Sports Complex in Fort Myers, marking the team’s Grapefruit League opener against Boston. This early power display came against Red Sox prospect Payton Tolle, as Lewis connected on a 96 mph fastball, with Statcast measuring the ball off his bat at 108.2 mph.
After working a full count and checking his swing on a changeup, Lewis took advantage of the heater, sending it to the outfield concourse. His strong start reflects more than just luck or timing; following a difficult 2025 season marked by struggles against four-seam fastballs, the 26-year-old undertook offseason work with a new hitting coach. That adjustment appears to be yielding immediate results.
Twins Face Major Setback with López Injury
This promising beginning for Lewis comes amid challenging circumstances for Minnesota, which recently learned that ace pitcher Pablo López suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. López is scheduled for his second Tommy John surgery next week, effectively ending his 2026 season before it begins and leaving a significant gap in the Twins’ starting rotation.
The loss of López is a severe blow to Minnesota’s postseason chances. The 30-year-old right-hander had served as the team’s Opening Day starter for three straight seasons and performed well in 2025 despite battling shoulder problems. His absence has lowered the team’s playoff probability to just 26 percent according to FanGraphs. Furthermore, López’s contract, which pays him $21.5 million in both 2026 and 2027 as part of a four-year, $73.5 million deal, combined with his lengthy recovery timeline, makes him an unlikely trade candidate in the near term.
Maintaining Momentum with Emerging Offense
Following his opening home run, Lewis continued to display offensive prowess with an RBI single in the fourth inning. Such consistent contributions are crucial for a Twins team eager to improve on last year’s disappointing 70-92 finish. Minnesota’s new ownership remains committed to competing, having pursued pitchers like Framber Valdez and Freddy Peralta in the offseason, although those bids were unsuccessful. They have supplemented the roster with seasoned veterans including Victor Caratini, Josh Bell, and Taylor Rogers.
With López out, Joe Ryan is expected to take over as the Opening Day starter, though he was scratched from Saturday’s game due to lower back tightness. Minnesota now relies heavily on Ryan, Bailey Ober, and Simeon Woods Richardson to stabilize the rotation in López’s absence.
Lewis’s early-season burst brings a much-needed spark to the Twins as they manage these setbacks. If his offseason adjustments continue to produce steady offensive results through spring training, Minnesota may have found the catalyst to help offset their pitching challenges and potentially surprise critics during the 2026 campaign.
