Chavez's performance has prompted the Nationals to rethink their position about making him the leadoff hitter. According to a source, the team is seriously considering putting Brad Wilkerson in the leadoff spot.

During his three-plus seasons in the big leagues, most of Wilkerson's success has come from the leadoff spot. Last year, for example, he had a .382 on-base percentage, with 27 home runs and 49 RBIs. Wilkerson said numerous times this offseason that he doesn't want to be a leadoff hitter. Instead, he wants to hit down in the order and drive in runs.

On Monday, interim general manager Jim Bowden went on the Comcast Sports Network and said that Chavez wasn't a lock in center field, and manager Frank Robinson said that the table setters -- Chavez and Cristian Guzman -- were slowing down the offense.

Guzman is having a good spring, hitting .302, but he has walked just three times in 43 at-bats. The Nationals have scored more than three runs only once since March 21.

"When you don't get your top people on base, and don't give (your RBI hitters) a chance to drive in runs and get better pitches to hit, you are not going to get the offense you should have. That's exactly what has happened to us," said Robinson.

Robinson also said that he would consider a lineup change if it meant scoring more runs.

"I'm here to win ballgames. Like I've said before, I'll do what I have to do on a given day to try to win a ballgame," Robinson said.

Chavez acknowledged on Monday that he is having a tough spring, but he feels he has made improvements at the plate.

"I never have good Spring Trainings," Chavez said. "I'm going to think positive. I know I'm making good contact. When the season starts, I think everything is going to be different. Everybody will be doing what they are supposed to do. I'm not giving excuses. I've just never had a good Spring Training.

"I know I don't get a lot of walks, but I'm hitting a lot of pitches that are 3-1 or 3-2. I feel that I'm more patient at the plate and hitting a better pitch."

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If Chavez is not the starting center fielder, Wilkerson, Terrmel Sledge or Ryan Church could play the position. Wilkerson would be the likely candidate with Sledge, currently a fourth outfielder, moving to left field.

Injury report: Nick Johnson missed Monday's game against the Dodgers because of a bruised right elbow. He injured the elbow on Sunday against the Mets when he was hit by a Mike Matthews pitch. He hopes to be back in the lineup by Tuesday when Washington again faces New York.

Third baseman Vinny Castilla is expected to play in two consecutive intrasquad minor league games starting on Tuesday. He will bat leadoff and get as many at-bats as he can. Castilla was supposed to play in a minor league game on Monday, but it was called off because the field was too wet.

Castilla has missed the last eight games because of a hyperextended left knee. He hurt the knee while chasing a foul pop against the Mets on March 18.

Minor deal: The Nationals acquired first baseman Carlos Torres as the player to be named later to complete the deal that sent infielder Alejandro Machado to the Red Sox on Feb. 15.

Sent down: The Nationals sent Ian Desmond down to minor league camp on Monday. He is expected to play at Class A Savannah.

Desmond was impressive during his first year in big league camp. He hit .294 with four RBIs and made several acrobatic plays at shortstop.

"He has a little step to his walk," catcher Brian Schneider said. "He knows that he's going to be good. He needs to take his big league experience and use it to his advantage. No doubt, he's going to have a great year and a great future."

Nice outing: Right-hander Esteban Loaiza pitched six solid innings and gave up three runs on five hits in a 3-2 loss to the Dodgers on Monday. All three runs came in the third inning. Loaiza gave up a wind-blown two-run home run to Joel Guzman and a solo shot to J.D Drew.

Loaiza said he is feeling even better than he did in 2003 when he won 21 games for the White Sox.

"It's been a real good Spring Training compared to all of my other springs," he said. "I'm feeling like I did in 2003. I'm feeling a lot better. I'm going to think positive and just get ready for the season."

Coming up: The Nationals return to Space Coast Stadium to play the Mets on Tuesday night. Nationals right-hander Tomo Ohka will face the Mets' Matthews.

The Mets won, 9-4, when the two teams faced each other on Sunday.

This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.