Alex Rodriguez -- MLB Shot Down by Judge ... Publicist Avoids Court Appearance

Alex Rodriguez caught a major break in his war with the MLB -- a judge will NOT hold his publicist in contempt of court for refusing to testify in A-Rod's steroid case ... TMZ Sports has learned.

As we previously reported ... A-Rod's high-powered publicist -- Michael Sitrick -- has been fighting tooth and nail to avoid flying from LA to NYC to testify ... so the MLB wanted the court to slap him with daily fines for being dodgy.

The judge said no dice on Friday ... ruling that holding Sitrick in contempt would be "unseemly" and "inappropriate" while he is appealing baseball's demand for him to testify.

Sitrick's attorney tells TMZ Sports, "We never believed there was any basis for a contempt motion, and we're pleased the court saw it our way."

The decision means Sitrick might avoid taking the stand, because by the time his appeal is sorted out ... A-Rod's fight to get his suspension dropped could be decided.