A federal judge declined a request by Major League Baseball to hold PR counselor Michael Sitrick in contempt of court in the league's legal showdown with slugger Alex Rodriguez.

MLB attorneys want Sitrick to answer questions about his work with Rodriguez, but the judge said Dec. 13 that the PR advisor won't be sanctioned for not yet doing so. He granted Sitrick a stay to deflect an MLB subpoena as he appeals a Nov. 22 order to testify in the discovery phase of the case.

The Los Angeles firm of Sitrick, who has advised Rodriguez in a steroid scandal centered on a Florida clinic, is accused by MLB of leaking the names of other players associated with the facility under scrutiny, Biogenesis, in order to benefit Rodriguez' case.

Sitrick's attorney Gayle Klein told the New York Daily News that his camp is pleased with the latest decision. His legal team has said that MLB is seeking publicity in targeting the PR advisor.

MLB said it is considering legal options to get Sitrick to testify. 

Strick's appeal of the order to testify heads to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, although it could be moot if MLB and A-Rod's arbitration is settled before then.