Inside The Twins

Eddy Julien demoted to Triple-A as Royce Lewis return looms

Julien was just 6 for 40 in the Twins' last 15 games.
Nolan O'Hara|
Minnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis (23) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home-run in the first inning against the Houston Astros during Game 4 of the ALDS at Target Field in Minneapolis on Oct. 11, 2023.
Minnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis (23) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home-run in the first inning against the Houston Astros during Game 4 of the ALDS at Target Field in Minneapolis on Oct. 11, 2023. | Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

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Minnesota Twins

The news Twins fans have been waiting for hasn't been announced just yet, but it appears that it's just a matter of time before the Twins activate Royce Lewis in time for the Tuesday-Thursday series in New York against the Yankees.

The Twins have officially optioned second baseman Eddy Julien to Triple-A St. Paul in what most believe is the move that will correspond with Lewis's return to the lineup.

Lewis suffered a quad strain in the Twins' Opening Day win over the Kansas City Royals all the way back on March 28. He was quickly placed on the injured list after that and just recently made his way to the Triple-A St. Paul Saints and played six games on a rehab assignment.

Lewis has had an injury-plagued start to his young career, including back-to-back ACL tears in 2021 and 2022. But Lewis has been an extremely exciting player while on the field, his performance in the postseason last year truly demonstrating the type of player he can be while healthy.

Julien, meanwhile, was called up by the Twins last season from Triple-A and quickly made an impact in the big leagues. He's been the Twins' starting second baseman this whole season, but has struggled in recent weeks. Over the Twins' last 15 games, Julien has hit just 6 for 40 (.150) with two RBIs. This season, he's batting just .207 with seven homers and 17 RBIs.

Minnesota Twins infielder Edouard Julien (47) fields a ground ball against the Texas Rangers during the third inning at Target Field in Minneapolis on May 26, 2024.
Minnesota Twins infielder Edouard Julien (47) fields a ground ball against the Texas Rangers during the third inning at Target Field in Minneapolis on May 26, 2024. | Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports
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Nolan O'Hara
NOLAN O'HARA

Nolan O'Hara covers all things Minnesota sports, primarily the Timberwolves, for Bring Me The News and Sports Illustrated's On SI network. He previously worked as a copy editor at the St. Paul Pioneer Press and is a graduate of the University of Minnesota's Hubbard School of Journalism. His work has appeared in the Pioneer Press, Ratchet & Wrench magazine, the Minnesota Daily and a number of local newspapers in Minnesota, among other publications.

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