Who else but Royce Lewis would hit the Twins' first home run of spring training? In the second inning of Monday's game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Lewis was all over a 1-0 pitch from Zack Littell, crushing it over the wall in left field.

Buxton traveled for just two road trips last season — once to JetBlue Park, just a few miles down the road in Fort Myers to take on the Red Sox, and another in North Port, the closest spring training city to Fort Myers, to play the Atlanta Braves. The center fielder last journeyed to Port Charlotte in 2022.

Rays starter Zack Littell got most of his planned work in, throwing 34 pitches over two innings. He struck out two while allowing one hit, a homer to Royce Lewis, in his spring debut. Littell was slated to face one batter in the third but was pleased with the work he was able to get in.

The Minnesota Twins and Tampa Bay Rays played two innings of a spring training game yesterday before rain washed away the contest. Twins starter Chris Paddack pitched two innings, allowing a run on two hits and striking out two.

Erasmo Ramírez has bounced around between six teams over the last 12 MLB seasons, but he will have to show out at spring training if he wants earn an Opening Day roster spot with the Minnesota Twins.

We’re excited, we're looking at about $11 million if not north of that last year,” said Sean Walter. “So, this year we’re looking to do the same if not more.

He doesn't understand why switching from Louie to Louis is a big deal: "Everybody’s freaking out about this for no reason."

Detroit Tigers infielders Gleyber Torres (left) and Javier Baez (right) watch a workout from the dugout at Publix Field at Joker Marchant Stadium on Feb. 20, 2025, in Lakeland, Fla. (photo by Evan Woodbery, MLive.com) Evan Woodbery, MLive.com

NORTH PORT — After two days without much of either, the Rays got sharp pitching and a couple of key hits Sunday. And, thus, they also got their first win of the spring, beating the Braves 4-2.

The hardest part is over for Jamie Westbrook. He waited his turn longer than most would be willing. He got his chance last summer. And he finally lived his dream by becoming a Major Leaguer and playing 21 games over two stints with the Red Sox.