Jose Canseco signs with independent minor-league team in Texas

Jose Canseco joins minor-league team in Texas

LAREDO, Texas — Jose Canseco has signed a contract with an independent minor-league team in south Texas.

The 46-year-old Canseco, a central figure in baseball’s steroid era, was introduced Monday as a member of the Laredo Broncos — one of six teams in the United Baseball League.

Canseco says he’ll play designated hitter, serve as a bench coach and pitch for the team. He’ll play in Laredo’s remaining six home games this season.

The former slugger named names and detailed steroid use around major league baseball in two memoirs. In one, he admitted using steroids and claimed that up to 85 percent of players also did.

Canseco hit 462 home runs in 17 major league seasons. He was the AL Rookie of the Year in 1986 and MVP in 1988, after he hit 42 home runs and stole 40 bases.