CHICAGO -– Getting the start in right field Tuesday against the White Sox, Twins rookie slugger Michael Cuddyer had two hits. On Wednesday, he was back to watching the game from the dugout.

Such is the life these days for the 23-year-old Cuddyer, who was called up July 12 from Triple-A Edmonton. The Twins expect big things from the 1997 first-round pick down the road. But right now, they just want him to contribute off the bench.

That's fine with Cuddyer, who's enjoying the experience of playing some meaningful games with a contending team.

"I'm just up here trying to contribute and help the team win," Cuddyer said. "That's all anybody is asked to do. Just go out there when you get the opportunity and try to take advantage and do what you can -- whether it's making a great play or scoring some runs or getting some runs in."

Not too long ago when the Twins weren't contenders, a prized prospect like Cuddyer could be under pressure to succeed immediately. With the team in first place this season and loaded with plenty of talent, he doesn't have to do all the work.

"I think that's a perfect scenario when you can bring a guy in and let him just blend in and not make him feel they have to carry the world," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "That's what I try to do anyway. I don't want anyone to feel like they have to carry the world. Just blend in grab and oar and row the boat together. That's what we always talk about."

Cuddyer earned a promotion to Minnesota after putting some sterling numbers in the minor leagues. At Double-A New Britain in 2001, he batted 301 with 30 home runs and 87 RBIs and was given a September call-up to the Twins. This season at Edmonton, he was hitting .311 with 20 homers and 51 RBIs.

Gardenhire wanted to bring him up so he could help the Twins continue their quest towards the postseason.

"He's done just about everything you could do in the minor leagues this year," Gardenhire said. "He was killing it down there."

Now, Cuddyer is one of three young players -- rookies Dustan Mohr and Bobby Kielty are the others -- who split time in right field. Through some creative juggling, Gardenhire finds a way to give all three playing time.

"I said I'm going to break (Cuddyer) in and give him as many chances up here as I possibly can," Gardenhire said. "I'm going to continue to use everybody and continue to make everybody feel like their a part of this baseball team and hopefully, we'll get production from everybody."

So far it's working. Kielty and Mohr have remained hot with their bats and Cuddyer is strong too with a .320 average (8-for-25) with a homer and five RBIs. He says he's taken examples from Mohr and Kielty on how to prepare for games and believes that all three are always ready if they get a start.

"I come to the park with them," said Cuddyer. "We do our early routine, early hitting, whatever it takes for us to get ready to play. Whoever is called upon to play that night should just go and play like they know how."

Cuddyer rose in the organization as a third baseman and also has limited experience at first base. He doesn't expect to be a defensive "jack of all trades" like utility man Denny Hocking, but he wants to be competent at any position he's asked to play.

"You just have to work out and practice at all the positions," Cuddyer said. "You can't rely on just going out there when it's your turn to play. You've got to always continue to practice, take ground balls and work on your fielding. That's what I try to do, so I'm ready when I'm called upon."

The main thing Cuddyer also knows how to do is circle the bases for home runs. He finally got a chance to do that for the Twins July 20 at Detroit. In the fifth inning of a 14-4 rout of the Tigers, he connected for his first Major League homer.

"It's an indescribable feeling," he said of the three-run homer off pitcher Jamie Walker. "Whenever you're a little kid, you always dream of hitting a home run in the big leagues. For that to happen, it's a great feeling and something I'll always remember for the rest of my career and the rest of my life."

As an added bonus, Cuddyer was able to get the ball back. A Twins fan caught the ball at Comerica Park that day and returned it so he could have the memento. Hopefully, it will be one of many things he can smile about when he recalls the 2002 season. You certainly won't hear complaints about his rookie season from the easy-going Virginia native.

"It's going well," Cuddyer said. "I feel pretty comfortable up here. The guys are treating me great. Obviously, the team is doing well. It's been a great experience and I'm having a lot of fun."