Tigers division rival hit with key injury that could greatly alter AL Central race

The Detroit Tigers head into 2025 with high expectations, but they're competing in an AL Central division with a number of other teams well within reach of the crown. The Cleveland Guardians, Kansas City Royals and Minnesota Twins are all threats. But one team may have just went slightly off path in their efforts to get off to a hot start.

When Twins third baseman Royce Lewis hobbled to first base as he ran out a ground ball in Sunday's Grapefruit League game against the Boston Red Sox, the Twins' worst fears came true.

The club confirmed on Monday that Lewis, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft, would open the 2025 season on the injured list with a moderate left hamstring strain. At present, there is no timeline for Lewis' return, but it's likely that he will miss anywhere from a few weeks to a month or longer. Given Lewis' lengthy injury history, the Twins will want to use caution and avoid rushing him back to game action before he's ready.

On one hand, you feel for Lewis. He's immensely talented, but injuries to his oblique, hamstring, quad, and adductor have limited him to just 140 games played over the past two seasons. He's still managed to make a positive impact for the Twins in those limited appearances, though, batting .268 with 33 home runs and 104 RBI for his career – so Minnesota will undoubtedly miss his bat in the lineup.

While no one wants to see a player get injured, even on a rival team, the Detroit Tigers and the rest of Minnesota's American League Central rivals are likely watching the situation with a close and opportunistic eye as they prepare for what is likely to be a tight race to the top of the division.

Tigers could benefit from Twins losing Royce Lewis for start of 2025

The Tigers shocked the baseball world last season with their surprise run to the ALDS, joining the Royals and Guardians as the three AL Central teams to make it to the 2024 postseason. Despite what happened last year, however, this year's PECOTA projections have the Twins not only reaching the postseason, but winning their division.

More specifically, Minnesota is projected for 86 wins, while the other three teams are projected to finish right around .500 (81 wins for the Royals, 80 for the Guardians and Tigers). All three of last year's playoff teams are projected to miss the postseason in 2025.

The injury to Lewis, however, is a devastating blow to Minnesota's chances of winning the division – especially if he's out for an extended period of time. They have other internal options who can play third base, but none of them can make the type of impact he does at the plate. And they need him more than ever in 2025.

The Tigers' late-season surge that propelled them into a playoff spot last year was a lot of fun, but even they recognize the need to get off to a stronger start in 2025 so that they won't need that magical, late-season run. The injury to Lewis, which depletes the lineup of one of their key division rivals, can help them do that.

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