Lewis back in Minneapolis to rehab, ‘get jacked’

MINNEAPOLIS — Royce Lewis has been by way of all of this earlier than, so he already has built-in benchmarks to function a measuring stick in his second ACL surgical procedure rehab in as a few years. That is how he is aware of he is already forward of schedule.

A grinning Lewis was again within the dwelling clubhouse at Goal Area on Tuesday, thrilled to be again with the Twins to rehab in Minneapolis till the All-Star break. He had been formally cleared to stroll for the primary time on Tuesday, solely three weeks after his June 21 process to restore the re-torn ACL in his proper knee, sustained throughout a Might 29 catch within the outfield.

Final yr, it took 5 and a half weeks for Lewis to begin strolling, he stated. With that in thoughts, the Twins’ No. 1 prospect is hoping to shorten the unique expectation of a 12-month timeline for his return to play.

“I do know that is not taking place,” Lewis stated. “It should be earlier, simply from me understanding who I’m and the way aggressive I’m and the way a lot I need to be out on the sphere and be with my teammates and understanding precisely when Spring Coaching is.

“I feel my plan is to be like 10 months — 10 to 11 months — which nonetheless provides sufficient time.”

There’s precedent for that type of comparatively fast return from an ACL tear, as Lewis identified. Braves famous person Ronald Acuña Jr. tore his ACL final July 10 whereas trying the same catch within the outfield, underwent surgical procedure on July 21, and was again on a giant league baseball area in an Atlanta uniform on April 21, 2022, precisely 9 months after his process.

It is nonetheless early in Lewis’ restoration, however he is already acknowledging that he and his medical crew are taking that form of “extra aggressive strategy” to his timeline in response to how his physique has responded effectively within the quick aftermath of the surgical procedure.

“I just like the aggressive strategy, as a result of we are able to at all times dial again if we have to, if I am not prepared for one thing or one thing like that,” Lewis stated. “But when we’re prepared, which I normally really feel like I’m, then we get going. So I prefer it.”

This process wasn’t precisely the identical as Lewis’ first surgical procedure final March; this time, Dr. Steven Singleton stabilized the knee with an iliotibial (IT) band, which limits the quantity of lateral “give” that Lewis’ knee can expertise. Lewis stated the presence of the IT band resulted in a bit extra preliminary ache and tightness within the space that has since subsided.

Whereas with the Twins, Lewis stated he’ll endure a number of hours of rehab each day, with the possibility to affix his teammates within the dugout for a couple of innings of every recreation. That is all he needs — the possibility to proceed studying from his teammates and coaches by way of these in-game conversations and conferences. He is additionally excited to maintain constructing his higher half power.

“It is type of enjoyable,” Lewis stated. “I get to only get jacked now.”

A ten-month timeline would get Lewis to April 21, 2023. An 11-month timeline would get him again a month later. Neither state of affairs leads to Opening Day, however Lewis hopes for now that he’ll be again early within the 2023 season.

“That is my objective,” Lewis stated. “Wherever that be, I am simply excited to play. I will play down in Fort Myers in Excessive-A taking part in, I do not care. I simply need to play. I felt so good on the plate. I felt actually good on protection, all over the place, I’ve performed all over the place. It does not matter the place, I simply need to be taking part in.”