San Jose Bees Release Derrel Thomas

The San Jose Bees of the California League have cut outfielders Derrel Thomas and Ken Foster in a disciplinary shake-up, Harry Steve, team owner and manager, said Thursday.

Steve, who made headlines earlier this year by offering former major league players with controversial pasts a second chance with his Class A team, said Thomas was released because of his attitude, not because of any involvement with drugs.

Thomas is one of the players required by Baseball Commissioner Peter Ueberroth to take random urine tests to keep his playing status.

“I just felt that when (Coach) Mike Verdi was trying to instruct, there were constant interruptions like, ‘That’s not how we did it with the Dodgers,’ ” Steve said.

Foster was cut because of continued tardiness,