Howe Wins Approval to Pitch Again in Minor Leagues

Pitcher Steve Howe, suspended from professional baseball in the United States for drug use, Tuesday was given permission to sign a minor league contract and could pitch in the majors again.

The National Assn. of Professional Baseball Leagues, which oversees all minor league teams, said the former Rookie of the Year can pitch in the minors if he continues drug-use treatment and agrees to random drug tests.

“After a review of his current drug-treatment program, the National Assn. is satisfied that Howe can be given the opportunity to resume his playing career,” said John Johnson, the organization’s president.

Howe, suspended by Johnson last year after testing positive for drugs, requested reinstatement. Howe, 29, had been pitching professionally in Mexico.

“If Steve Howe can demonstrate compliance with a drug-treatment program over a reasonable period of time and does not show any indication of a resumption of drug use, the office of the commissioner will, with the proper safeguards, consider the assignment of his contract to the major leagues,” Ed Durso, executive vice president of the major leagues, said in a statement Tuesday.

The left-hander went 7-9 with 17 saves and a 2.35 earned-run average with the Dodgers in 1980 and won the National League Rookie of the Year award.

Bowie Kuhn, then the commissioner, suspended Howe in 1984 for drug use, and the Dodgers released him the next year. He was signed by the Minnesota Twins, who released him later that year.

Commissioner Peter Ueberroth suspended Howe for drug use in 1986 after a drug test. He was reinstated and pitched for the Class A San Jose Bees of the California League. He was expelled later last season for renewed drug involvement.