updated 4:55 p.m. ET July 3, 2006

SAN DIEGO - Jose Canseco will make his San Diego Surf Dawgs debut Monday night on the road against the Chico Outlaws.

Canseco returned to baseball Thursday when he agreed to a contract with the independent Surf Dawgs, planning to be their designated hitter and — get this — pitch.

The deal comes some 16 months after Canseco attracted Congress’ attention with an autobiography, “Juiced,” that accused several top players of steroid use.

In March 2005, he testified before the House Government Reform committee that he used performance-enhancing drugs as a player.

A call to Canseco’s cell phone got this message:

“Hello, Jose Canseco. I have lost my cell phone. If you can, please leave a number when you call. Thank you.”

The six-time All-Star, who in 1993 blew out his right elbow during his only big league pitching appearance, will be playing for the league maximum of $2,500 per month.

Canseco’s lawyer, Robert Saunooke, told The Associated Press that the GBL contacted Canseco. A few years ago, the slugger said he was being blackballed and kept out of major league baseball.

He hit 462 home runs in a 17-year career with Oakland, Texas, Boston, Toronto, Tampa Bay, the New York Yankees and Chicago White Sox.

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“Jose’s been playing in a summer league, a semipro league in the L.A. area, and he’s hit a whole bunch of back-to-back home runs,” Saunooke said. “He’s knocked the ball out of the park. He’s still a very talented athlete. He never stopped being a talented athlete.”

The GBL is essentially baseball’s lowest rung. Rickey Henderson played for the Surf Dawgs last year as he tried to attract the attention of a big league team.

Canseco, once one of baseball’s most-feared hitters — and one of its most colorful figures, on and off the field — hasn’t played in the big leagues since 2001 with the Chicago White Sox, who purchased his contract from the independent Newark Bears.

“I’m looking forward to having fun in professional baseball again, as I’ve really missed it,” Canseco said in the Surf Dawgs’ news release. “I love what this league is doing for players, communities and families, and I want to be part of it. Rickey had a great experience with the Surf Dawgs last year and it will be great playing for Terry Kennedy and reminding him of the stomping my A’s gave his Giants in the ’89 World Series.”

The GBL said Canseco has agreed to be subjected to its drug-testing policy “that immediately expels any players found using steroids or illegal drugs.” The league said nine players, out of more than 200 tested, were tossed for illegal drug use last year.

“Jose will be treated consistent with all of our players regarding drug testing,” GBL commissioner Kevin Outchalt said.

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