The Los Angeles Angels and Major League Baseball moved Monday to dismiss a lawsuit by former Angels visiting clubhouse attendant Brian "Bubba" Harkins.

Harkins was fired March 5 after an internal investigation confirmed suspicions that he was providing sticky ball-doctoring substances to opposing pitchers.

Harkins filed a lawsuit Aug. 28, alleging defamation against the Angels and MLB, saying he "never distributed an illegal substance" and was made a "public scapegoat."

Dismissal hearings are scheduled for Jan. 21 and Feb. 4.