NEW YORK -- It must be that time of year. Derek Jeter has arrived for Spring Training, discussing his relationship with Alex Rodriguez.

Jeter told The Associated Press on Wednesday that A-Rod continues to have the support of his teammates, in the wake of developments that saw Joe Torre's book paint Rodriguez as a needy, insecure presence in the clubhouse.

"Like I've said before, we all support Alex. He's our teammate," Jeter told The AP on Wednesday, after working out at the Yankees' Minor League complex. "It seems like that we keep talking about the same things over and over again.

"It's not like this is a new thing that's come up. The only thing that you'd like to see, going into Spring Training, is you'd like to see everyone talking about the excitement of the season and getting ready for the season. That's the unfortunate thing."

In Torre's book, co-authored with Tom Verducci and released on Tuesday, it is revealed that some in the Yankees clubhouse called A-Rod "A-Fraud." In several appearances on Tuesday, Torre said the term was said to Rodriguez's face by some, including coach Larry Bowa.

On Wednesday, Jeter said former Yankees bullpen catcher Mike Borzello -- one of Rodriguez's closest friends around the team and a person quoted extensively in the book -- used it in a kidding manner.

"He joked with him," Jeter said. "It wasn't like people on the team. I've never heard someone on the team say that. That never happened."

Not surprisingly, Jeter -- a prominent piece of Torre's success during his 12 years in New York -- comes off well in the text. Jeter has not read Torre's book, but he has followed recent media accounts.

"Knowing Mr. Torre, he's never going to intentionally try to hurt somebody," Jeter said. "He's like a second father to me. Everyone knows how close we are. He's not going to intentionally go out and do harm to somebody. That's not the kind of person he is."

Yankees pitchers and catchers are set to report to George M. Steinbrenner Field on Feb. 13, but several players already have traveled to Florida for workouts.

The club's winter additions of CC Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Mark Teixeira have Jeter excited for the year ahead.

"I'll tell you what, I'm probably as excited about this season as any season in a long time," Jeter said. "We made some great additions. They said they wanted to improve our pitching staff, and we got arguably two of the best in the game. We added Tex. They always talk about how great of a hitter he is. He's an all-around player."