Royce Lewis Nears Twins Return, Ryan Shines

0:00It's April 18th. This is MLB News today, AI-powered stories from around the league. I'm Cory with the story. Royce Lewis is on the fast track back to the twins lineup after that sprained left knee. He crushed a full workout before Friday's game against the Reds, and tomorrow he's starting a quick rehab stint as the designated hitter for AAA. St. Paul against Lehigh Valley at 2.07pm, Central Time. He got hurt swinging late in the April 9th win over the Tigers, but toughed it out, only to feel it the next night in Toronto, landing him on the injured list. Lewis always said he'd miss just the minimum 10 days, and with only a couple rehab games planned, he's eligible to return Tuesday in New York, where he's expected to jump right in. Feeling in at third base, Ryan Creeler and Tristan Gray have held it down pretty solid, though Creeler had a rough air in Friday's close 2-2. One loss. Meanwhile, Joe Ryan's finally hitting his stride after a bumpy spring with back issues and missing the World Baseball Classic.

1:01In his fifth start Friday, he went six strong innings, giving up two runs, just one earned on three hits, fanning six without a walk. His second. Straight vintage performance as the twins ace. Luke K. Shaw is still hunting that rookie magic from last year after a slow start, but Friday was brutal. Zero for four, a strikeout, double play, and leaving four runner stranded. He's tweaking his swing to cut down flyballs and pulled grounders, grinding day by day to lock in. With Lewis nearing return, the twins' infield and rotation are shaping up strong for the road ahead.