GAINESVILLE - Florida senior pitcher Stephen Locke has been reinstated to the Florida baseball team nearly three months after he was dismissed from the team for an arrest he was later exonerated from.

Locke was arrested on Jan. 24 for DUI, and police alleged in a report he had been seen driving erratically, that his speech was slurred and that he had to balance himself against his SUV. The police report also alleged he had croosed the double yellow line into oncoming traffic, before crossing back into his own lane.

But earlier this month, the Gainesville State Attorney's office dropped the DUI charges against Locke, citing lack of evidence to support police allegations.

State Attorney Bill Cervone said at the time that video from the police car did not substantiate the DUI allegations. On the videotape, Locke does not appear to slur, and told officers he was actually the designated driver, Cervone said.

Locke, a former Tampa King standout, has been placed back on the active roster, Florida officials said, and rejoined the team beginning with Tuesday night's  home-and-home series against UNF.  He has been undergoing rehabiltation for a torn ACL he suffered in the fall, but is expected to be ready to play by the end of the month.

Locke had 12 starts for the Gators last season, second on the team. He was 5-2 with a 3.17 ERA in a career-high 21 appearances. He struck out 46 batters and allowed just 13 walks in 82.1 innings. He had the Gators' lowest ERA in SEC play (2.91).

Antonya English, Times Staff Writer