New York ? Baseball players and owners discussed management’s plan to test for steroids and other drugs during Thursday’s negotiating session.

Steroid use has become a hot topic in recent weeks as former MVPs Ken Caminiti and Jose Canseco have admitted using the drug and accused other players of doing it, too.

Owners would like to add steroid testing into the new collective bargaining agreement. Union head Donald Fehr told Congress on Tuesday that testing players without cause would violate their privacy.

“For me, it doesn’t matter,” said Minnesota Twins outfielder Jacque Jones, who attended the meeting. “They can come and test me anytime they want. I’m sure there are some guys who would have a problem with that.”

In March, owners proposed a plan that called for three random tests a year for every player. The tests would cover performance-enhancing and recreational drugs.

There is drug testing in the NBA, NFL, NCAA and Olympics, but not in baseball. Minor league players currently can be tested, but anyone on a 40-man roster is immune from the process.

The owners are still awaiting a counteroffer from the players, who mostly asked questions about management’s plan during Thursday’s three-hour meeting.

“We had a long discussion about drug testing, steroids in particular,” said management negotiator Rob Manfred. “I won’t characterize the discussion other than to say that they did not make a proposal.”

The sides will meet again next Wednesday and Thursday.

The old labor contract expired Nov. 7. The union, fearing management might start a lockout after the postseason or change work rules, is considering whether to hold an executive board meeting during the All-Star break to discuss setting a strike date.