JENNIFER PELTZ
Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) — Alex Rodriguez’s lawyer says his client has dropped a lawsuit against a New York Yankees team doctor. It had been a lingering piece of Rodriguez’s legal fight over his baseball career.

Attorney Alan Ripka said Friday that Rodriguez withdrew his suit against Dr. Christopher Ahmad to eliminate distractions as the third baseman anticipates returning to baseball after his season-long suspension.

Ahmad’s lawyer Peter Crean says the orthopedic surgeon is very pleased Rodriguez dropped the case.

Rodriguez’s suit had said he kept playing and worsened a left hip injury because Ahmad didn’t tell him an October 2012 MRI showed a joint tear. Crean says Ahmad provided appropriate care.

In February, Rodriguez withdrew two lawsuits against Major League Baseball over its investigation into whether he used banned, performance-enhancing drugs. He’s denied it.

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