VIERA, Fla. — Stephen Strasburg didn't put a lot of expectations on himself for his first time out as a professional pitcher.

He just wanted to get out there and throw again.

"It's something I love to do," the 21-year-old said yesterday after making his first outing for the Washington Nationals in an Instructional League game against Detroit. "It's been a little tough."

The right-hander allowed one run and three hits in two innings, striking out two. He threw 19 of 25 pitches for strikes in his first game action since signing a record $15.1 million, four-year contract as the No. 1 pick in June's amateur draft.

Strasburg had not thrown competitively since his final game for San Diego State in the NCAA Regionals on May 29. He reported to Viera last month and has been working on building up arm strength.

He threw mostly fastballs yesterday, mixing in an occasional curveball and sinker.

"I was just letting my arm get back into throwing," he said. "You don't want to go out there and rush it and immediately try to punch everybody out."

Strasburg is scheduled to pitch again on Saturday in Kissimmee before reporting to the Arizona Fall League.

TIGERS

CABRERA IN FIGHT WITH WIFE

Police in suburban Detroit say Miguel Cabrera and his wife got into a fight at their home over the weekend after the Tigers slugger came home drunk around 5 a.m.

Birmingham Police Chief Richard Patterson said yesterday that Cabrera's wife called 911 at 6 a.m. Saturday, requesting police assistance. Miguel Cabrera opened the door for officers.

Patterson says the Cabreras had been fighting and each had marks on their faces as a result.

The chief says Rosangel Cabrera asked that her husband leave the house, so officers took him to the police station, where he was picked up by Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski around 7:30 a.m.

No charges are pending in the case.

ELSEWHERE

Brewers: All-time saves leader Trevor Hoffman has agreed to a one-year, $8 million contract to return to Milwaukee next season.

A person with direct knowledge of the deal told The Associated Press that it includes a mutual option for 2011 that could be worth up to an additional $8.5 million. The person requested anonymity because the contract had not been formally announced.

The 41-year-old Hoffman converted 37 of 41 save opportunities with a 1.83 ERA. He has 591 career saves in 17 seasons.

Cardinals: Troy Glaus will be on the St. Louis Cardinals' roster for their first-round playoff series against the Los Angeles Dodgers despite missing most of the season while rehabbing from shoulder surgery.

After a two-hour workout yesterday that stressed fundamentals, manager Tony La Russa said Glaus showed him enough in the last few weeks to think he could be helpful off the bench. But the manager said Mark DeRosa would be his starting third baseman.

Astros: Houston right-hander Brian Moehler has had surgery on his right knee. The team said yesterday that Moehler should recover for the start of the 2010 season.

Moehler finished 8-12 with a 5.47 ERA in 29 starts for the Astros.

Awards: Chris Carpenter has been voted NL comeback player of the year and Aaron Hill has won the AL award.

Limited to four starts over the prior two seasons because of elbow surgery and a shoulder injury, Carpenter was 17-4 with a league-leading 2.24 ERA for the St. Louis Cardinals. The 2005 NL Cy Young Award winner, Carpenter won 11 consecutive decisions from early July to early September.

Hill appeared in just 55 games in 2008 due to a concussion. He hit .286 for the Toronto Blue Jays this year and established career highs with 36 homers and 108 RBIs, the most among major league second basemen.

The awards were voted on by the 30 beat writers of MLB.com.

Mariners: Ken Griffey Jr. will collect $3.15 million of a potential $5 million for returning to the Seattle Mariners.

The 39-year-old slugger earned an additional $1.15 million in bonuses tied to playing time and home attendance, according to contract details obtained by The Associated Press. That's on top of the $2 million in base salary the active home run leader received in his one-year contract.