MLB Probes A-Rod Over High-Stakes Illegal Poker Game Claims

File Photo: New York Yankees Alex Rodriguez, here watching a game from the dugout against the Cubs in June, is reportedly split from Cameron Diaz again. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh) (AP)

What do Tobey Maguire, Leonardo DiCaprio, Ben Affleck, and Alex Rodríguez have in common?

An illegal high-stakes game of poker and tons of money, according to a report out of Star Magazine Friday.

The story claims that several people saw A-Rod playing at one of the star-studded games that were hosted at Hollywood hotels and private residences. Allegedly, A-Rod was seen at one time playing in a separate high-stakes game recently that had a $40,000 buy-in.

A-Rod is no stranger to gambling. In 2005, the New York Daily News reported that the Yankees "warned" Rodríguez that frequenting illegal city poker clubs is dangerous. MLB sources told the paper Commissioner Bud Selig was "keeping an eye" on Rodríguez.

As of Saturday, MLB has begun looking into the allegations, according to Foxsports.com.

"This is the first we have heard of this, and we are looking into it," MLB spokesman Pat Courtney said.

A spokesman for A-Rod says the slugger never played in the illegal celebrity poker games that ensnared such stars as Tobey Maguire.

Richard Rubenstein tells The Associated Press that A-Rod "has not participated in these poker games."

Rodríguez's name is not mentioned in any court filings in relation to the games.

Rodríguez would not talk about poker before the Yankees played the crosstown Mets on Friday.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.