Twins designated hitter Kennys Vargas is already training at the team's spring-training complex in Fort Myers, Fla., despite the fact that position players aren't required to report until Feb. 27, MLB.com reports.
"I'm prepared," Vargas said. "I'm going to Spring Training to compete. I'm going to compete to be the DH and the backup to [Joe] Mauer. So I'm excited for that. I have to take advantage of the opportunity the Twins give me and do my job."
Vargas has been committed to his conditioning this offseason while working to improve his agility in order to improve his defense at first base. He is aiming to follow up a quality debut in 2014 with a better campaign in 2015.
"I'm focused on this year," Vargas said. "I want to do the same work I did last year, but I always try to go for more. Every year, I learn a little bit more. I want to help us win more games than last year."
Vargas hit .274/.316/.456 with nine home runs and 38 RBI in 215 at-bats with the Twins in 2014 while finishing with a .281/.360/.472 line and 17 home runs in 356 at-bats at the Double-A level.