Twins option Parmelee to clear room for Morneau, who will play 1B

MINNEAPOLIS -- It might not matter at this point, but the Minnesota Twins will get a shot in the arm on Wednesday with the return of Justin Morneau, who was sidelined for two weeks due to lingering soreness in his surgically-repaired wrist.

Morneau was activated from the disabled list following Tuesday's 5-0 loss to the Cleveland Indians, and he will immediately take over as the Twins' every-day starting first baseman.

"He's ready to play," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "He doesn't feel anything right now. He's swinging good. ... No problems."

Parmelee went 0-for-3 with a walk on Tuesday, dropping his batting line to .179/.250/.262 with zero home runs. Parmelee hit .355/.443/.592 with four home runs in 88 plate appearances last September, but he still has never played a game at Triple-A.

Parmelee said he was simply putting too much pressure on himself mentally.

"It sucks," he said. "It's the nature of the beast. I'll just go down to Triple-A and clear everything."

Phil Mackey is a columnist for 1500ESPN.com. He co-hosts "Reusse & Mackey" weekdays from 4 to 6pm on 1500 ESPN Twin Cities.
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