Cuban infielder Fernandez set for showcase

Major League Baseball clubs will soon get an extended look at Cuban infielder Jose Miguel Fernandez when he takes the field for his first showcase on Feb. 3 in the Dominican Republic.

"I will give my best and show how we play in Cuba," Fernandez told MLB.com's Jesse Sanchez. "I'm ready. I've been training every day and now it will be my time. I'm excited."

Fernandez, 27, left Cuba earlier this month after playing eight seasons for Matanzas in Cuba's Serie Nacional, batting .319/.403/.423 with 37 homers and 318 RBIs through 608 career games. He was suspended for attempting to defect late last year and did not play in 2015.

Due to his age and professional experience, Fernandez will be exempt from international signing guidelines, meaning he can sign as an unrestricted free agent as soon as MLB declares him eligible.