Pitcher Steve Howe has been given permission...
Pitcher Steve Howe has been given permission to negotiate a major league contract, his attorney said.
Howe, the ex-Dodger and Minnesota Twin, has been troubled by a series of episodes with cocaine in recent years and now pitches for the Class A San Jose Bees. John Lence, Howe’s attorney, said permission for Howe to sign with a major league team was granted under an agreement worked out between Howe’s attorneys and the commissioner’s office.
The agreement was part of Howe’s June 24 reinstatement from a suspension following a disputed drug test. Howe disputed the suspension, saying he had not used cocaine.
Through Thursday, Howe had a 3-1 record with San Jose, a 1.80 earned-run average in 40 innings, 31 strikeouts and 5 walks.
In his most recent start, he pitched three innings of one-hit ball against Modesto, and his fastball was clocked at 95 m.p.h.
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