Twins notes: Ortiz watching Vargas ('Big Papi II') from afar

CLEVELAND – Kennys Vargas held up his phone, showing a recent text message from David Ortiz. The two have become friends after his then-manager, Doug Mientkiewicz, arranged a meeting between them when Vargas played at Class A Fort Myers last season.

Before Vargas left for Class AA New Britain to begin the minor league season, Ortiz dangled a carrot in front of the apprentice masher: Hit 25 home run and get a necklace with "Big Papi II" on it.

Vargas hit 17 home runs for the Rock Cats before being called up on Aug. 1. In 37 games with the Twins, Vargas has hit another seven.

That's 24 between the majors and minors for the undrafted free agent from Puerto Rico. So he should be one away, right?

"The deal was for the minor leagues," Vargas said. "I don't know if major leagues should count."

Vargas, however, has kept Ortiz apprised of his home run status, and he'll wait and see whether Ortiz follows up on his bling-bling challenge.

"I don't know what will happen," Vargas said with a grin. "I tell him in the message 'Hey, watch out,' but he doesn't respond. He said he's going to see me in Fort Myers when the season is done or next year in spring training."

Fort Myers is their year-round headquarters, and the second phase of a $48.5 million renovation is underway. The Twins weren't going anywhere, and this was just a formality.

In recent weeks, the Twins have renewed agreements with Fort Myers, Class A Cedar Rapids and Class AAA Rochester.

New Britain is another issue.

"I can't discuss New Britain because it is not allowable until the 16th," Twins General Manager Terry Ryan said. "According to the rules of the national association, you can't talk about your affiliations unless you've got a deal."

Ryan did say that "we certainly have grown with that organization out there," added that they like being in the Eastern League.

Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said he prefers the traditional doubleheaders because there is less time to spent waiting than day-night split doubleheaders.

Then Gardenhire added that the toughest thing about traditional doubleheaders is finding space where players scheduled to play in the second game can go to get ready.

That led to a question: What did players do in the 1970s, when there weren't spacious training facilities, indoor batting cages and massage therapists?

"Get the last out in the ninth and then just start the next game five minutes later," Gardenhire said. "You sat in a dugout, ate a sandwich, ate a banana and go. And you brought the sandwich from home."

• Danny Santana (lower back) and Glen Perkins (sore neck) were cleared to play on Thursday. Santana doubled into the right-field corner in his first at-bat.