Newly recalled Parmelee starts at first

MINNEAPOLIS -- Chris Parmelee was thrown right into the fire on Friday, starting at first base and batting sixth against the Cubs a day after he was recalled from Triple-A Rochester.

In his first go-around with the Twins, Parmelee struggled over 27 games, hitting .179 with no homers in 84 at-bats, before being optioned to Rochester on May 15.

But he took his demotion in stride and regained his hitting stroke, batting .375 with four homers in 15 games.

"I just went down there and, most importantly, tried to clear my head a little bit, work on some mechanics and get back to just seeing the ball and hitting it, and not trying to think too much about results," Parmelee said. "I think I was pressing a little bit too much when I was up here, so it was nice to go down and clear the head and just go back to seeing it and hitting it, just reacting."

Parmelee is expected to see time at both first base and in the outfield. He could also serve as a pinch-hitter when the Twins play without the designated hitter next week in Pittsburgh and Cincinnati.

"He gives us some insurance with [Justin Morneau]," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "It gives me chance to give Mornie a DH day here and there. He hit his way back up here.

He was scuffling for a little bit but got his confidence back and started swinging the bat. That's what you're supposed to do."