In a move that has Minnesota Twins fans buzzing and the clubhouse reportedly jolted, the organization has pulled the trigger on a major roster overhaul—sending a former Los Angeles Dodgers standout packing just hours after reinstating their once-heralded infielder.
Sources close to the situation confirm that the Twins officially called up infielder Royce Lewis from Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday, and in a corresponding—and some say surprising—transaction, designated outfielder James Outman for assignment. The move effectively ends Outman’s brief, turbulent tenure with the club and raises serious questions about the front office’s long-term plans.
Royce Lewis: From Bust to Bomber?
Lewis, the former No. 1 overall pick, was sent to the minors just weeks ago after a brutal start to the 2026 campaign that saw him slashing a dismal .163/.261/.279 with a .540 OPS over 31 games. Insiders say the organization was quietly concerned that the 27-year-old might never rediscover his 2023 form—but what happened next has reportedly changed everything.
During a jaw-dropping 67-plate-appearance stint at St. Paul, Lewis allegedly transformed into an offensive wrecking ball. According to team insiders, his rehab stint included a jaw-dropping .333 average, a .403 on-base percentage, and an absurd .900 slugging percentage—good for a 1.303 OPS. He crushed 10 home runs and struck out only 13 times, looking every bit like the star the Twins once dreamed he would be.
Even more intriguing, sources claim Lewis expanded his defensive repertoire, logging time at first and second base alongside his natural third-base spot. The versatility, one insider told us, “gives the coaching staff options they didn’t expect to have.”
Still, the doubters aren’t silent. Since Opening Day 2024, Lewis has hit just .225/.285/.398 across 847 plate appearances, and injuries have plagued his career. Is this 10-game heater real—or a mirage? Fans and analysts alike are watching closely.
The Outman Fallout: What Went Wrong?
Outman’s exit is the other half of this dramatic roster shuffle. Acquired from the Dodgers at the 2025 trade deadline in exchange for right-hander Brock Stewart, the 29-year-old was supposed to provide depth and energy. Instead, his bat went ice cold.
After posting a .147 average with a .558 OPS in 37 games to close out 2025, Outman stumbled into 2026 hitting just .156 with 10 hits in 64 at-bats, 3 RBIs, and a .479 OPS across 49 games—mostly as a defensive replacement or pinch runner. One unnamed source close to the team told us that “the coaching staff was running out of ways to get him going.”
It’s a staggering fall for a player who finished third in National League Rookie of the Year voting in 2023 behind Corbin Carroll and Kodai Senga, the same year he popped 23 homers and posted a .790 OPS for the Dodgers. Back then, he ranked in the 95th percentile for Outs Above Average and the 89th for sprint speed—but since the start of 2024, he’s slashed a forgettable .144/.235/.284 in 374 plate appearances.
Now, with Outman designated for assignment, the Twins are effectively throwing their weight behind Lewis—a high-risk, high-reward gamble that could define their season. Whether this calculated risk pays off, or blows up in their faces, is the question keeping Twins fans up at night.
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