The Twins on Friday sent highly touted prospect Michael Cuddyer to Class AAA Rochester in order to make room for Denny Hocking, who was activated from the disabled list.

Cuddyer was batting .233 with two homers and five RBI and was tied for fourth in the AL with three triples. But he was seeing fewer at-bats because Bobby Kielty, Dustan Mohr and Matthew LeCroy are hitting better and Todd Sears has contributed since being called up from Rochester.

"I don't want him sitting here with everyone else getting at-bats," manager Ron Gardenhire said. "I still think he's going to be a good major league player. This gives him the opportunity to get some at-bats."

Cuddyer will play third, first, left field and right field with Rochester. Gardenhire even encouraged Rochester manager Phil Roof to use Cuddyer at second base in a pinch.

This is the second consecutive year the Twins have moved what they considered to be their primary right fielder. Cuddyer was expected to get the bulk of the at-bats in right field this year, just as Brian Buchanan was handed the job last season.

Instead, Kielty and Mohr will be the right field duo, as they were last year. Sears likely will split time at designated hitter with LeCroy.

Hocking, out because of a sore right elbow, wore a large pad over the elbow as he warmed up before the game.