Cincinnati Reds

Reds claim Twins' Kennys Vargas off waivers

Published Mar. 22, 2018 2:48 p.m. ET

Kennys Vargas is on the move.

The Cincinnati Reds claimed the 27-year-old slugger off waivers Thursday, a week after the Twins designated him for assignment.

Vargas emerged as a viable big-league contributor in 2014 after signing with the Twins as an amateur free agent in 2009. He hit .252/.311/.437 with 35 home runs in parts of four seasons with the Twins. Vargas spent 78 games with Minnesota last season, hitting .253/.314/.444 with 11 home runs, and 51 games with Triple-A Rochester.

His future with Minnesota had been in doubt since Feb. 28, when the Twins signed Logan Morrison in free agency. Morrison is expected to be the Twins' primary designated hitter in 2018 after hitting a career-high 38 home runs last season, and should also spell veteran Joe Mauer at first base.

Vargas occupied a similar role with the Twins. He made 40 appearances at first base and 30 as the Twins' designated hitter in 78 games last season.