Sconiers Signs to Play With San Jose Bees

SAN JOSE, Calif. —  Daryl Sconiers, considered one of major league baseball’s best young hitting prospects a few years ago before running into problems with injuries and drugs, signed as a free agent Sunday with the San Jose Bees of the Class A California League.

Sconiers, 27, will be the starting first baseman for the team whose roster also includes third baseman Ken Reitz and pitchers Mike Norris and Steve Howe, other ex-big leaguers who have admitted to drug problems in the past.

Last season, Sconiers batted .244 in 57 games with the California Angels and also played for two Angels’ farm clubs. He joined the Angels in 1981 after hitting .370 and .354 in consecutive minor league seasons. His best big league season was 1983, when he batted .274 in 106 games.