Tornadoes sign Jose Canseco

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The independent league Worcester Tornadoes on Friday signed former MLB slugger Jose Canseco to a one-year contract, the team announced.

The 47-year-old Canseco, who last played in the majors in 2001, was in the news in March, when his plan to play in the Mexican League was derailed after he allegedly refused to take a doping test.

"I am very much looking forward to putting on a uniform and competing on a professional level again this year," Canseco said in a Tornadoes statement. "I love the game of baseball. I am particularly grateful to the Worcester Tornadoes for embracing me and having the confidence in me to help the team win."

Canseco, who played with the Boston Red Sox in 1995 and 1996, told Boston sports radio station 98.5 The Sports Hub that he will report to the team in about 2½ weeks. He's expected to be the designated hitter for the club, whose season begins in mid-May.

He also said he will be at Fenway Park for Friday's celebration of the park's 100th birthday.

Canseco, the 1988 AL MVP, played for seven teams in his 17-year career and hit 462 home runs. In 2005, he admitted to using anabolic steroids, and later wrote a book in which he said 85 percent of major league players used banned substances.

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