NEW YORK -- Alex Rodriguez dropped a lawsuit accusing a New York Yankees team doctor of botching his treatment for a hip injury, ending what had been a lingering piece of the sluggers legal fight over his baseball career, his lawyer said Friday. Cheap Larry Bird Jersey . Rodriguez withdrew his suit against Dr. Christopher Ahmad "for the sole purpose of having no legal distractions" as the third baseman anticipates returning to play after the season-long suspension hes serving this year, attorney Alan S. Ripka said. "He wants to focus on being the best baseball player he can be, the best Yankee he can be, and wants nothing to distract him from those goals," the attorney said. Ahmads lawyer, Peter T. Crean, said the orthopedic surgeon was very pleased with the development, which he described as "demonstrating that Dr. Ahmads care was complete and appropriate." Ripka insisted that dropping the case wasnt a reflection on its merits. "Its about eliminating more things to think about and deal with instead of whats the most important thing to (Rodriguez), which is playing baseball for the Yankees," the lawyer said. Rodriguez abandoned the medical malpractice case four months after withdrawing two lawsuits against Major League Baseball over its investigation into whether he used banned, performance-enhancing drugs. He has denied it, but he agreed to accept the longest performance-booster-related suspension in baseball history. While he was fighting the suspension last fall, the 38-year-old Rodriguez filed his medical malpractice suit. It said he had kept playing and worsened a left hip injury in October 2012 because Ahmad didnt tell him an MRI had showed a joint tear. Rodriguez ultimately had surgery for the injury in January 2013, and his recuperation kept him from rejoining the Yankees until August. The now-withdrawn suit also named New York-Presbyterian Hospital, where the MRI was done. The hospital "never thought that the case had any merit" and was pleased to see it dropped, said its lawyer, Neil F. Brenes. The case was still in early stages, and arguments hadnt delved into the medical issues. But in a sign of the sensitivity surrounding them, Rodriguezs lawyer had asked a judge to make sure that any potential video of Rodriguez answering pretrial questions wouldnt be publicly disseminated, had the case gotten to that point. The suit didnt name the Yankees, and team representatives didnt immediately respond to email inquiries Friday evening about the development, first reported by the Daily News. Cheap Bill Russell Jersey .C. -- LeBron James called comments on an audio recording of a man identified as Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling "appalling" and said hes not sure if he would suit up for the remainder of the NBA playoffs if he played for the Clippers. Cheap Celtics Jerseys Authentic .com) - The Carolina Hurricanes hope to remain perfect at home in January on Friday night as they welcome the Vancouver Canucks to PNC Arena. http://www.cheapcelticsjerseys.com/ . The Argentina striker has not played for the Premier League leaders since September when he refused to warm up during a Champions League match and only returned last week from a three-month unauthorized absence at home. City coach Roberto Mancini had initially told Tevez he would never play for City again after his act of public insubordination, but later softened his stance and only asked for an apology.Julio Cesar is on the verge of joining Toronto FC. Brazilian national coach Luiz Felipe Scolari has confirmed that the veteran goalkeeper is set to join Toronto on loan, saying it will help him be ready for the World Cup. Scolari was speaking in Brazil while naming his squad for a friendly on March 5 against South Africa. "Julio is in our group, he should be officially introduced to his new club," Scolari said to a gathering of reporters. "Toronto should be finalising the last few details and he should be in great condition. There will be no problem with him. Lots of players arrive in the United States thinking it will be easy and then end up not playing. They stay for four or five months and then leave. We wish he were playing and now he will be. The MLS is not the end of [a] career." For his part, Tooronto FC manager Ryan Nelsen wouldnt confirm Cesars impending arrival, but was effusive with praise for his former teammate. Cheap Boston Celtics Jerseys. "What I know of Julio is that hes a gentleman of a man, hes a quality guy and his character is flawless, great around the locker-room," said Nelsen. "When you see him at work, theres a reason why hes played 80 times for Brazil and hes won everything in the game." Cesar will be on loan from QPR of the English Championship. Since being relegated from the Premier League last season, Cesar has found himself as second choice to former England international Rob Green. Cesar has only appeared once for Harry Redknapps side this season in an FA Cup match. The loan is not expected to be a long-term one, as Cesar wont likely return to TFC after the World Cup. Cheap Diamondbacks Jerseys Cheap Braves Jerseys Cheap Orioles Jerseys Cheap Red Sox Jerseys Cheap Cubs Jerseys Cheap White Sox Jerseys Cheap Reds Jerseys Cheap Indians Jerseys Cheap Rockies Jerseys Cheap Tigers Jerseys Cheap Astros Jerseys Cheap Royals Jerseys Cheap Angels Jerseys Cheap Dodgers Jerseys Cheap Marlins Jerseys ' ' '