In his autobiography, Canseco said he used steroids and introduced them to several other big league sluggers, including Oakland teammate Mark McGwire. Canseco wrote that he injected McGwire with steroids.

In a 2005 interview on the CBS television show “60 Minutes,” Canseco also said he injected Rafael Palmeiro with steroids.

The GBL said Canseco weighs 230 pounds, down from his big league playing days.

The news release announcing the deal said Canseco will be the DH “and will showcase his knuckleball as a member of the team’s pitching staff.”

Canseco made one big league pitching appearance, working the final inning for the Texas Rangers in a 15-1 loss to the Boston Red Sox on May 29, 1993. He walked the bases loaded and allowed three runs and two hits. He threw 12 strikes and 21 balls, most of which were far from the strike zone.

But he tore a ligament in his elbow, ending his season. He said he felt a sharp pain in his elbow on his second pitch but stayed in and threw 31 more pitches.

Kennedy, the Surf Dawgs’ manager, said he’s excited to have Canseco “for both his playing abilities and for his veteran leadership. We can use his offensive power to get us into the playoffs to defend our title, and I’m very interested in seeing him pitch to see if he can help us there as well.”

Said GBL president Amit Patel: “We strive to provide a high quality entertainment product, and Jose will undoubtedly be entertaining for our fans.”

Canseco was the AL Rookie of the Year in 1986 and MVP in 1988, when he hit 42 homers, drove in 124 runs and stole 40 bases to lead the A’s to the World Series, where they were upset by the Los Angeles Dodgers.

That season, Canseco became the first player in major league history to hit 40 homers and steal 40 bases.

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