Alex Rodriguez drops lawsuits

Alex Rodriguez drops lawsuits

NEW YORK -- Alex Rodriguez has withdrawn his lawsuits against Major League Baseball, Commissioner Bud Selig and the players' association to overturn his season-long suspension, a sign the New York Yankees third baseman may be prepared to accept the penalty.

The notices of dismissal in the two lawsuits were filed Friday in federal court in Manhattan.

"We have been informed that Alex Rodriguez has reached the prudent decision to end all of the litigation related to the Biogenesis matter," Major League Baseball said in a statement Friday afternoon. "We believe that Mr. Rodriguez's actions show his desire to return the focus to the play of our great game on the field and to all of the positive attributes and actions of his fellow Major League Players. We share that desire."

Rodriguez was suspended for 211 games last Aug. 5 for violations of baseball's drug agreement and labor contract, and arbitrator Fredric Horowitz cut the penalty on Jan. 11 to 162 games plus the 2014 postseason.

Rodriguez sued two days later.

The MLBPA also issued a statement, saying "Alex Rodriguez has done the right thing by withdrawing his lawsuit. His decision to move forward is in everyone's best interest."

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