The rumors are true: Alex Rodriguez is spending at least part of Christmas week in Boise.

Major league baseball’s highest-paid player did a light workout Monday morning at Axiom Fitness on ParkCenter Boulevard.

“He just kind of rode the bike and signed autographs for people,” Axiom Assistant Manager Dax McIntosh said. “He was real cordial.”

“We get a lot of celebrities, but this is definitely the first time he’s been in,” said McIntosh, who described himself as “a Yankees fan since birth.”

Randy Simon, a former TV sports reporter now working for Gallatin Public Affairs, was on the treadmill when he noticed Rodriguez.

“I thought to myself, ‘That’s not Alex Rodriguez. Why would he be in Boise?' ” he said Tuesday. “Then I saw some people come up and shake his hand.”

Channel 2 anchor Mike Murad also saw A-Rod at the gym. He snapped a photo with his phone and posted it on Twitter.

"I did speak with him briefly," Murad said via e-mail Tuesday. "He didn't tell me why he was here, but did tell me he was trying to keep a low profile."

Simon said Rodriguez was at the gym with Torrie Wilson, a Boise native who won the Miss Galaxy fitness competition and became a star in World Wrestling Entertainment. Wilson has tweeted about being in Idaho for Christmas, but hasn’t mentioned Rodriguez.

The slugger has been single since breaking up with actress Cameron Diaz earlier this year.

Boiseans on Twitter also reported seeing A-Rod at a local bar Monday.

Katy Moeller: 377-6413