VIERA, Fla. — Nationals top prospect Stephen Strasburg pitched for the first time since leaving big league camp, striking out nine batters in 4[0xb0] shutout innings of an intrasquad minor league game yesterday.

The 21-year-old right-hander walked three and allowed one hit. He threw 79 pitches, 46 for strikes, and was relieved after walking two in the fifth inning.

"You get out of rhythm, you get a little sped up, and it's going to cause you to fall off to one side or the other, but I'm just going out there and getting my work in," Strasburg said when asked about his control issues in the fifth.

The No. 1 overall pick in June's amateur draft, who signed a record $15.1 million contract in August, was optioned to Double-A Harrisburg on Saturday despite having been Washington's best starter in exhibition games.

YANKEES

A-ROD TO MEET FEDS IN PHYSICIAN PROBE

Alex Rodriguez declined comment on his pending meeting with federal investigators probing a Canadian physician.

The New York Yankees third baseman is scheduled to meet with officials tomorrow in Buffalo, N.Y.

"Just baseball questions," Rodriguez said before last night's game against Washington in Tampa, Fla. "I have nothing to add."

Tomorrow's interview session likely will include FBI agents and members of other federal agencies. Rodriguez said March 1 he had been contacted by investigators and intended to cooperate.

Dr. Anthony Galea said during a March 8 interview with The Associated Press that he treated Rodriguez last year and prescribed anti-inflammatories but never gave him or any other athlete human growth hormone.

SHORT HOPS

Orioles: Baltimore third baseman Miguel Tejada will have to remain on probation for another six months unless he completes his required community service before then. Tejada was sentenced last year to one year of probation, 100 hours of community service and fined $5,000 for misleading Congress about an ex-teammate's use of performance-enhancing drugs.

Royals: Kansas City said left-handed pitching prospect Danny Duffy left camp in Surprise, Ariz. late Tuesday night after telling the club that he wanted to reassess his priorities. The 21-year-old Duffy went 19-10 with a 2.49 ERA in 52 games since he was drafted in 2007.