Royce Lewis returned, but the Twins fell 2-0 to the Marlins on July 2, 2025. Joe Ryan pitched well in the loss as the offense went silent. Read more.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a day of jarring contrasts for the Minnesota Twins. The triumphant return of superstar Royce Lewis from the injured list was supposed to inject life into the lineup. Instead, the team was immediately served a harsh dose of reality, managing just two hits in a dispiriting 2-0 shutout loss to the Miami Marlins, a game made even more sour by the news that another key starting pitcher is heading to the shelf.
The Twins managed only two hits in the game.
The biggest storyline entering Tuesday was the activation of Royce Lewis from the 10-day IL, fully recovered from his mild left hamstring strain. Fans have been eagerly awaiting the return of his dynamic presence. Unfortunately, his return coincided with one of the team's worst offensive showings of the season. The lineup was completely stifled by Marlins pitching, with starter Edward Cabrera earning the win. Joe Ryan pitched well enough to win on most nights for the Twins, but with zero run support, he was saddled with the tough-luck loss. The team's inability to generate any offense, even with their star back, is a major red flag.
Adding to the day's frustrations, the Twins placed RHP Bailey Ober on the 15-day injured list with a left hip impingement. The move is retroactive to June 29, but it's another blow to a starting rotation that values consistency. Ober has been a reliable arm, and his absence will test the team's depth. To fill the roster spot, LHP Kody Funderburk was recalled from Triple-A St. Paul. Funderburk will likely provide bullpen depth for now, but the team will need to figure out how to fill Ober's spot in the rotation for the next couple of weeks.
The flurry of roster activity required some difficult decisions. To make room for the activated Royce Lewis and the recalled Kody Funderburk, the team designated 3B Jonah Bride for assignment. Bride's time with the Twins comes to an end as the club prioritizes its immediate needs and clears a 40-man roster spot. It's a tough part of the business, but a necessary move to accommodate the return of a cornerstone player and a fresh arm for the bullpen.
With Lewis back in the fold, the potential for offensive fireworks is undeniable. But potential doesn't win games. The Twins need to shake off this listless performance at the plate and find a way to manufacture runs, especially as their starting rotation depth is once again put to the test. The next few games will be crucial to see if Lewis's return is the spark they need or if the offensive and pitching woes run deeper.