TODAY: The Twins officially announced the IL assignment, with Laweryson back on April 9 and Lewis on April 10. Kreidler and the right-hander Andrew Morris they were called up to take Lewis and Laweryson’s spots on the active roster, and the 24-year-old Morris will be making his big league debut whenever he makes his Minnesota debut.
Morris was the Twins’ fourth-round pick in the 2022 draft, and has a 3.78 ERA, 21.45% strikeout rate, and 7.27% walk rate over 135 2/3 innings in Triple-A. Morris has started 28 of his 30 Triple-A appearances, although scouting reports from both MLB Pipeline and Baseball America view Morris as either a swingman or a multi-inning pitcher at the Major League level. Pipeline and BA each rank Morris as the 13th best prospect in Minnesota’s system, and he has a five-pitch arsenal highlighted by a 55-yard slider and a fastball that can reach 99mph but usually sits at 95-96mph.
10 APRIL: The Twins will make a freshman roster before tomorrow’s game at Rogers Center. Manager Derek Shelton said tonight (via Audra Martin of Twins TV) that the third baseman Royce Lewis and a reliever Cody Laweryson each of them heads to the injured list. Lewis has a left knee, while Laweryson has had a problem with his right arm. Shelton did not specify recovery times for either player.
Lewis was injured during Thursday’s win over Detroit. He came up limping after hitting a home run in his last at-bat of the game. Lewis was able to get out of the plate appearance and hit an infield single. He finished the competition but today he feels uncomfortable. Bobby Nightengale of the Minnesota Star-Tribune writes that Lewis went to take pictures this evening which revealed the sprain.
This will be the ninth injury list of Lewis’ four-year MLB career. He has torn the ACL in his right knee twice, once before his major league debut, and has battled various left leg injuries. That includes hamstring strains last year. Lewis surpassed 100 games for the first time in his career.
The first overall pick had a great start. Although he hit just .222, he drew eight walks and collected four extra-base hits (two doubles and one homer). Lewis has been at the hot corner for 12 of Minnesota’s first 14 games. Utilityman Tristan Grey found two other start projects as usual there at the moment. Gray has a homer and a double in his first start but is a .220/.279/.394 hitter in 53 career contests.
Laweryson made his first Opening Day roster this year. The 27-year-old righty played in five games last season as he was called up in September. He has worked 6 1/3 frames of four-run ball (three earned) on eight hits in five outings this year. Laweryson has a save and hold as part of Minnesota’s open bullpen.
Minnesota will announce its corresponding draft tomorrow. Ryan Kreidler again Eric Wagaman are on the 40-man roster as deep ballers. Kreidler provides a lot of defensive value and is hitting better in Triple-A to start the season. Zak Kentwho was chosen earlier in the week, it seems that he can take the place if the twins do not want to appoint anyone to the assignment.
