A poker professional who was at a 2009 game in a Beverly Hills home, at which cocaine use and a near-fight allegedly took place, denies a report that New York Yankees slugger Alex Rodriguez was there, the New York Daily News reported.

But that doesn't mean he wasn't at similar illegal games, a source told the newspaper.

Dan Bilzerian was a named source in the original Star magazine story, which alleged Rodriguez attended the game at a record executive's home.

"It's ridiculous," Bilzerian told the Daily News Thursday. "He wasn't there, I'm telling you. He was playing in the World Series at the time."

But another unnamed source who was cited by Star, a supermarket tabloid, told the Daily News that Rodriguez attended at least one game on the same circuit.

"I never played with him in a home game, but I know (someone who) witnessed him at one. It was an illegal house game," the source told the newspaper, speaking on the condition of anonymity because "I don't want to get A-Rod in trouble."

Star magazine reported that Rodriguez was at a game in late 2009 at the home of Cody Leibel, at which cocaine allegedly was used openly and a fight broke out over unpaid debts. Bilzerian told the newspaper the game was in November of that year.

Major League Baseball investigators have been working to arrange a date to speak with Rodriguez about his alleged involvement in the high-stakes games, a source with knowledge of the negotiations told ESPNNewYork.com Thursday.