Santo Domingo.– Cuban outfielder Yoenis Cespedes will play with Aguilas Cibaeñas in the Dominican Republic winter league while waiting to be declared a free agent to sign with an MLB team.

Cespedes is scheduled to make his professional debut Thursday against Gigantes del Cibao, said Luichy Sanchez, who works in Aguilas' front office. Cespedes initially will serve as Aguilas' designated hitter.

Cespedes is close to receiving his letter of temporary residency in the Dominican Republic, mandatory in the long process of being declared a free agent to play baseball in United States.