FORT MYERS, Fla. — Unable to find a suitable trade offer for Kennys Vargas, the Twins have placed the switch-hitting slugger on waivers, according to a person with direct knowledge.

Designated for release or assignment on March 16, Vargas’ 48-hour waiver period started on Tuesday. If he goes unclaimed by the other 29 clubs as of midday Thursday, he would remain in the Twins’ minor-league system, where he has been since 2009.

Rival clubs, however, believe the 27-year-old first baseman likely would be claimed on waivers despite the fact he is out of minor-league options. The rebuilding Tampa Bay Rays and their fellow American League East rival Baltimore Orioles are among clubs with potential interest in Vargas, who appears to fit best in the AL with the designated hitter role as an option.

To acquire Triple-A outfielder Jake Cave from the New York Yankees last week, the Twins gave up only 19-year-old righty Luis Gil, who has yet to pitch above the Dominican Summer League. Cave still has all three of his minor-league option years remaining.

Former Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Tommy Joseph, who hit 43 combined homers the past two seasons, was lost on waivers to the Texas Rangers on Monday after being designated for assignment. Vargas has 35 home runs and a .437 slugging percentage in 859 career plate appearances in the majors since 2014.

FAMILIAR FACE

When Jake Cave joined the Twins last week, one of the first people he saw was hitting coach James Rowson, his former minor-league hitting coordinator with the New York Yankees. Before trading for Cave, a versatile outfielder with power potential, Twins officials got input from Rowson.

“I was asked about him a little bit so I just kind of gave a synopsis of what I saw from him over the years,” Rowson said. “He’s battled through (adversity) and still shows up to play with a smile. We’re excited to have him.”

Cave, 25, opened eyes last season with 20 combined homers at the top two minor league levels. His slugging percentage jumped 115 points over his previous career high.

“He’s always been that grinder trying to maximize his ability, and he’s going to make changes to be the best player he can be,” Rowson said. “You always knew it was in there, but you didn’t see (the power) displayed as consistently as he showed it last year. I’m anxious to talk to him and find out what he’s doing, how he’s feeling, some of the changes that he’s made overall the last couple of seasons.”

Cave’s walk rate has typically remained around just 7 percent, which could be an area of improvement.

“He’s an aggressive guy but he always had an idea of what he wanted to hit,” Rowson said. “I like him because he plays the game with aggressiveness. He’s aggressive on the bases, aggressive defensively. That’s a mentality which fits right in with our group of guys.”

CURLING AND BASEBALL

Skip John Shuster and his fellow members of the Olympic gold medal-winning U.S. men’s curling team will throw out the ceremonial first pitch before the Twins’ home opener against the Seattle Mariners on April 5 at Target Field.

Shuster hails from Chisholm, Minn., while vice-skip Tyler George (Duluth), second Matt Hamilton (McFarland, Wis.), lead John Landsteiner (Mapleton) and alternate Joe Polo (Bemidji) also have ties to the Upper Midwest.

Dessa of the Minneapolis Doomtree collective will sing the national anthem before the 3:10 p.m. opener, with the curling team returning to lead the crowd in “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the seventh-inning stretch.

JAVIER OUT

Shortstop Wander Javier, rated the Twins’ No. 2 prospect by Baseball America, has been held out of minor-league games so far with a left shoulder issue that isn’t considered serious.

Javier, who continues to participate in most baseball activity besides hitting, reported mild discomfort in his non-throwing shoulder and the Twins are being cautious with the 19-year-old Dominican after he finished last season in the Appalachian League.

According to Twins farm director Jeremy Zoll, Javier should be back playing soon.

As of Wednesday, the Twins had yet to send Javier for a magnetic resonance imaging exam. Javier received a $4 million signing bonus in July 2015.

BRIEFLY

Closer Fernando Rodney, who turned 41 on Sunday and retired the side on 10 pitches Wednesday, said the plan was for him to work his first back-to-back outings Wednesday and Thursday. He will then take two days off, throw again Sunday and maybe do a light bullpen session on Tuesday in Washington, D.C. From there, it will be on to season No. 16 in the majors.

Starter Jose Berrios lowered his spring ERA to 1.69 with five innings of one-run ball that included three walks and five strikeouts. Berrios managed just 10 first-pitch strikes to his 21 batters faced but still reached three-ball counts just four times.