GENEVA -- Marin Cilics ban for doping was reduced from a "too severe" nine months to four on Friday, clearing him play at the Paris Masters next week. http://www.officialmlbclub.com/Atlanta-Braves-Craig-Kimbrel-Jersey.html . Facing a possible two-year ban requested by the International Tennis Federation, the Court of Arbitration for Sport sided with the Croatian player. Cilic tested positive for a banned stimulant in May but claimed he had not intended to ingest it in a glucose tablet bought at a pharmacy. "The panel determined that the degree of fault committed by the athlete was inferior to that established in the (tribunal) decision," the court said in a statement. "The panel also determined that the sanction imposed was too severe in view of the degree of fault and concluded that it should be reduced to four months." The 25-year-old Croatian player was cleared to return from midnight Friday. Cilics ranking, which has dropped to No. 47, is set for an immediate boost with the return of his points from events including the French Open, Wimbledon and the grass-court Queens Club event in London, where he was runner-up to Andy Murray. "Mr. Cilics results subsequent to the BMW Open (in Munich) will not be disqualified and he is permitted to retain the ranking points and prize money that he won at those events," the ITF said in a statement. Cilics case was fast-tracked following an appeal hearing in London last week, with a verdict promised ahead of Fridays draw for the Paris Masters. It is the final regular tour event of the season. Cilic tested positive for nikethamide in Munich in May, where he lost in the first round to fellow Croat Ivan Dodig. He challenged his ban at CAS and sought to prove he was not a cheat. The ITF requested a two-year ban by appealing the verdict of its own independent tribunal. Cilics ranking peaked at No. 9 in February 2010, and has dropped from 12th since accepting a provisional suspension in June. That day, he withdrew from his second-round match at Wimbledon citing a knee injury. Cilic now gets back his prize money and ranking points from his first-round win, and from his run to the third round at Roland Garros. The court said it would publish its panels detailed verdict at a later date. www.officialmlbclub.com/Atlanta-Braves-Dan-Uggla-Jersey.html . Less than a day after the NHL handed the Minnesota Wild forward a seven-game suspension for his knee-on-knee collision with Colorado Avalanche defenceman Tyson Barrie, Cooke reiterated to the media Thursday that he had no intention of hurting his opponent. www.officialmlbclub.com/Washington-Nationals-Stephen-Strasburg-Jersey.html . "How you motivate a guy in 1984 compared to 94 or compared to 04 or compared to 2012, each group is a different era," Hill told The Associated Press as the seconds ticked down on victory No.BALTIMORE -- A person familiar with the situation says free-agent pitcher Ubaldo Jimenez and the Baltimore Orioles have agreed to a contract, pending a physical. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Monday night because the deal had not been completed and the club had not made an announcement. Several media outlets reported earlier that the sides had reached an agreement, which is reportedly for about $50 million over four years. Jimenez went 13-9 with a 3.30 ERA in 32 starts for Cleveland last season. He turned down a $114. www.officialmlbclub.com/Washington-Nationals-Gio-Gonzalez-Jersey.html. 1 million qualifying offer from the Indians, so Baltimore would have to forfeit its first-round draft pick (17th overall) to sign him. Orioles executive vice-president Dan Duquette has been searching for a veteran starter for much of the off-season to help anchor the rotation. Jimenez is 82-75 with a 3.92 ERA over eight major league seasons. The 30-year-old right-hander broke into the majors with Colorado in 2006. His best season was 2010, when he went 19-8 with a 2.88 ERA in 33 starts for the Rockies. ' ' '
