CHICO, Calif. (AP) -- Jose Canseco is set to make his Golden Baseball League pitching debut Tuesday night in the independent league's All-Star game. Canseco will pitch at least one inning in the game at Chico's Nettleton Stadium and also will participate in the pregame home run derby.
Canseco, who joined the league late last month, has been added as an honorary member of the South team.
"Canseco's pitching debut will just add another element to the fun and excitement that is the All-Star game," South manager Terry Kennedy said in a statement. "Everyone will have the opportunity to see him showcase both his bat and his arm in one day. And even I'm anxious to see Jose's knuckleball."
Canseco, a former American League MVP and six-time All-Star in the majors, got off to a slow start in his comeback in the Golden Baseball League. He struck out 11 times in his first 13 at bats, but is hitting .333 with two homers and seven RBIs in his last five games for the Long Beach Armada.
Canseco has been getting his arm into pitching shape the past two weeks and could be used in regular season games later in the season.
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.
Canseco, who joined the league late last month, has been added as an honorary member of the South team.
"Canseco's pitching debut will just add another element to the fun and excitement that is the All-Star game," South manager Terry Kennedy said in a statement. "Everyone will have the opportunity to see him showcase both his bat and his arm in one day. And even I'm anxious to see Jose's knuckleball."
Canseco, a former American League MVP and six-time All-Star in the majors, got off to a slow start in his comeback in the Golden Baseball League. He struck out 11 times in his first 13 at bats, but is hitting .333 with two homers and seven RBIs in his last five games for the Long Beach Armada.
Canseco has been getting his arm into pitching shape the past two weeks and could be used in regular season games later in the season.
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.
