Attorneys for Alex Rodriguez to Appear in New York City Court

NEW YORK (AP) — Attorneys for Alex Rodriguez will appear in a New York courtroom for an initial court conference in his lawsuit against Major League Baseball.

The New York Yankees third baseman is not expected at the meeting Thursday in Manhattan federal court.

Rodriguez was given a 211-game suspension by the league on Aug. 5 for alleged violations of baseball's drug agreement and labor contract.

He is challenging the suspension and has sued the league and Commissioner Bud Selig.

A-Rod claims he's the victim of a "witch hunt" aimed at destroying his reputation to make it appear baseball has cleaned up its act regarding performance-enhancing drugs.

MLB responded by calling Rodriguez's actions "desperate."