Report: Rodriguez has cut ties with Boras

Alex Rodriguez's longtime relationship with agent Scott Boras appears to be over.

USA Today reported Thursday that Rodriguez has decided to cut ties with Boras, who has been his agent since the Seattle Mariners made him the first overall pick in 1993. A Yankees spokesman said Rodriguez declined to comment. The Players Association said late Thursday that Boras still is listed as his official agent, though that might only be a technicality.

Rodriguez made no secret that he was unhappy with Boras after he opted out of his contract in October 2007; Rodriguez ultimately reached out to the Yankees through Goldman Sachs executives before re-signing.

Boras did not return a message seeking comment. Rodriguez's current 10-year, $275-million contract runs through 2017, so he doesn't have much of a need for an agent for baseball purposes, anyway.

Knee KOs Swisher

Nick Swisher, who was removed after the first inning because of stiffness in his left knee, said it initially started bothering him while he was stretching on the field before the game. "I probably should have said something earlier, but I thought, 'Battle through it,' " Swisher said.

The stiffness is in the same knee that Swisher hit with a foul ball last week. He said he treated the knee with ice Thursday and doesn't think it will be a long-term issue.

Trainer's room

Andy Pettitte, who has been out since July 18 with a groin strain, will take the next step in his rehab Saturday when he throws to hitters in a simulated game at Yankee Stadium. He has thrown three bullpen sessions without any issues in the past week . . . Rodriguez, who is eligible to come off the disabled list Sunday, tested his left calf by taking batting practice on the field for the second straight day and going through fielding drills. "He said he felt really good," Joe Girardi said. "You just keep your fingers crossed he's going in the right direction."

With Anthony Rieber