Luke Keaschall crouched in frustration at Target Field on Friday night, watching the scoreboard confirm a borderline strike three that stranded the bases loaded. It was the lowlight of an 0-for-4 evening for the Twins' second baseman, a night where nothing seemed to click.

His struggles continued with a first-pitch changeup groundout into a double play, and he left two more runners on in the seventh inning. After the game, Keaschall was already in the cage with hitting coaches, searching for the rhythm that has eluded him early this season. "We'll get it back. We're a tick off," he said, maintaining his confidence. "It can change quickly."

That optimism is rooted in a stellar rookie year where he slashed .302/.382/.445. But the sophomore campaign has been a different story. Entering Saturday, his average sat at .211 with a .541 OPS, prompting manager Derek Shelton to move him down in the lineup for the first time this year, from third to fifth.

Shelton explained the move was designed to relieve pressure, noting that Keaschall, like many young stars, might be putting extra weight on his own shoulders. "Luke Keaschall has hit at every level. I guarantee he raked in Little League," Shelton said with a smile, emphasizing his long-term faith in the player. For his part, Keaschall is focused on the daily grind: "All you can do is get a little bit better each and every day."

As Keaschall works through his adjustments, the Twins are nearing a significant boost. Star third baseman Royce Lewis, recovering from a knee sprain, began a rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul on Saturday. Barring any setbacks, he's on track to rejoin the lineup next week during the team's series in New York against the Mets.

Shelton expressed optimism about Lewis's swift progression, highlighting the convenience of having their top affiliate just across the river. His imminent return, however, creates a welcome roster puzzle for the Twins to solve as they look to solidify their lineup for the long summer ahead.