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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. 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 The now-withdrawn suit also named New York-Presbyterian Hospital, where the MRI was done.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. Sam Dyson Jersey . - While he appreciates suggestions from Packers fans of remedies for his sore left calf, Aaron Rodgers is not necessarily going to listen to the advice. Nelson Cruz Twins Jersey . Chan captured two silver medals at last months Sochi Winter Games — mens singles and the inaugural team event. But he doesnt have the urge to resume training to defend his world title when the event is held in Saitama, Japan, later this month. https://www.cheaptwins.com/742t-jonathan-schoop-jersey-twins.html . - Erick Torres scored his 10th goal of the season on a stunning volley, and Chivas USA edged 10-man Real Salt Lake 1-0 on Saturday night. Max Kepler Twins Jersey .com) - Rick Nash scored twice and Derek Stepan chipped in a goal with one assist as the New York Rangers claimed a 5-2 decision over Calgary at the Saddledome. Tom Brunansky Twins Jersey . Hall joined Bengals teammates for a voluntary workout on Monday. Hes got his mobility back and is on schedule to be ready for the season. CINCINNATI - Bengals cornerback Leon Hall is happy with his recovery from a torn Achilles tendon and expects to be ready for the start of training camp in July.PORTLAND, Ore. - First, the Trail Blazers held LeBron James to just 11 points. Two nights later they held Dirk Nowitzki to 17.And just like that, Portland is pointing to an improved defence for two key wins.The latest was on Thursday night when Portland overwhelmed the Dallas Mavericks with a 35-18 third quarter en route to a 108-87 victory. LaMarcus Aldridge had 20 points before sitting down for the entire fourth.Damian Lillard finished with 18 points, including 10 over a stretch of just under six minutes in the fourth before he also took a seat.Portland trailed 50-46 at the half before a decisive 18-4 run in the third quarter.I think the best part about it was that we won on both ends of the floor, Lillard said. We defended really well in the first half, we just couldnt really get ourselves going like we would have liked to offensively. The second half, we put both ends together and thats why we were able to pull away.Dallas went into the game averaging nearly 112 points in their first four games of the season. Nowitzki was averaging nearly 21.But Nowitzki said it was the Mavericks defence that failed them against the Blazers.We couldnt get the stops we needed as the game turned into a walk-up-the-court game and thats not us, he said. Weve got to get stops to get the ball moving.The game was delayed several minutes midway through the fourth quarter when a fan collapsed. The woman was rushed across the court by stretcher as a paramedic performed CPR. She was taken by ambulance to a local hospital, but there was no immediate information about her condition.Nicolas Batum had eight points, nine rebounds and nine assists, but he too rested in the fourth quarter after the Blazers had built a sizable lead. Batum has four career triple-doubles.The Trail Blazers were coming off a confidence-boosting 101-82 victory over the visiting Cleveland Cavaliers that snapped a brief two-game losing streak. Lillard broke out of a season-opening funk with 27 points, and Portland held James to just 11 points, his lowest total in 115 games.Asked if he thought the teams defence was better this season, Blazers guard Welsey Matthews said: I think it is. And I think it has to be.The Mavericks lost their season opener at San Antonio but went on to win their next three, including a 118-113 victory over Boston on Monday.Weve been doing a lot of good things but our defence has been inconsistent, Mavs coach Rick Carlisle said. We have to make a stand there. I have to look closely at what were doing and make sure wwere doing the right things and have the right guys in at the right times.dddddddddddd We dont have a lot of time to sit around and mope.It is the first of back-to-back road games for the Mavericks, who visit the Utah Jazz on Friday night.The Mavericks double-teamed Aldridge from the start, but he led all scorers with 10 points in the first quarter.The Blazers pulled ahead 28-24 with 10:10 left in the first half on consecutive 3-pointers from CJ McCollum off the bench. Monta Ellis layup gave Dallas a 35-33 lead.Nowitzki hit a 19-foot-jumper from out front, then added a 3-pointer over Aldridge, and the Mavericks took a 45-38 lead. Nowitzki had 12 points in the second quarter and Dallas was up 50-46 at the half.Robin Lopezs dunk pulled the Blazers within 52-51, and they took the lead on Aldridges fadeaway jumper. Wesley Matthews pumped both fists and yelled after his 3-pointer made it 71-59.But Chandler Parsons, who had scored just two points in the first half, hit consecutive baskets and narrowed it to 71-66.Chris Kamans put-back layup gave the Blazers an 88-70 lead in the fourth quarter as the rout was on. Kaman scored 12 off the bench.___TIP-INSMavericks: Owner Mark Cuban is interviewed in the latest edition of Rolling Stone and reveals his greatest mistake was letting Steve Nash go. He also says that losing hurts far more than winning feels good. ... Nowitzki scored 12 points in the second quarter alone, but the Blazers held him to just two points in the second half. ... Parsons had scored 20 or more points in the past three games; the Blazers held him to 11.Trail Blazers: F Joel Freeland was available after missing the past two games with a left foot sprain. ... Portland had lost seven of the last 10 to Dallas going into the game.THIRD QUARTER WOESNowitzki says hes not sure why the Mavericks have been having trouble coming out after the half. We better figure it out pretty quick. Seems like we dont come out with any energy. Thats really unfortunate, we have got to correct that. Teams are coming out in the second half determined to pick up the pressure and we have not responded.BENCH SCORINGPortlands bench outscored the Mavericks 52-35. The reserves made seven of 12 3-point attempts and shot just over 57 per cent from the field. Thats what we need them to do. You never know when youre going to be called, but you have to be ready. And they were ready, Matthews said.UP NEXTMavericks: At Utah on Friday night.Trail Blazers: At the Los Angeles Clippers on Saturday night. ' ' '