Royce Lewis went 0-for-2 with a double-play ball and a HBP before being lifted for a pinch-hitter Thursday against the Orioles.
The HBP was a changeup in his first plate appearance and had nothing to do with his exit, which seemed to simply being a product of the Twins having little faith in him at the moment. Lewis hit just .133/.160/.289 this spring, and the Twins had him hitting eighth today even though they were facing a lefty. Lewis flew out in the second and then grounded into the double play after Victor Caratini walked to start the seventh. He was due to bat again with two outs, one on and the Twins down by one in the ninth, but Trevor Larnach was inserted into his place against Orioles closer Ryan Helsley. Larnach went on to strike out to end the game. Lewis figures to remain in the lineup most of the time for now, but if he fails to produce, he could be sent down, with the Twins potentially going with Kody Clemens against right-handers and calling up Eric Wagaman to help versus lefties.