Chavez went into Spring Training as the starting center fielder, but he didn't do the little things to be an effective leadoff hitter. Chavez wasn't patient at the plate, walking just two times in 37 at-bats, while hitting .212 with two RBIs.

It's the second year in a row in which Chavez started the season in the minor leagues. In 2004, he returned on April 22 and went on to hit .277 with five home runs, 34 RBIs and 32 stolen bases.

The final straw for the Nationals came on Monday night against the Dodgers. Chavez went 0-for-3 in the game and didn't work the count. Manager Frank Robinson said the table setters -- Chavez and shortstop Cristian Guzman -- were the reasons the offense had been stagnant the last six games.

"We tried everything we could for Endy to be our center fielder. We wanted him to get on base more. We didn't see the adjustments," interim general manager Jim Bowden said. "We are not going to score enough runs if we don't do something about this offense. He needs to go down to Triple-A and he needs to work on his game, learn to get on base. He needs to score more runs for him to help us.

"If I had one more big bat in the middle of the lineup that could hit 35 home runs and drive in 140 runs, we could carry him in center field and have him hit eighth. But with this particular team, we can't do that."

Chavez, who declined to talk to media, took the news very hard. Manager Frank Robinson said Chavez indicated to him that he wasn't worried about losing his job and was just getting ready for the season.

"I think we told him that he had to show us what he could do," Robinson said.

Chavez suggested Bowden trade him, but Bowden told Chavez that no teams were interested in his services.

"[I told Endy], 'Other clubs view you the same way as we do. We talked to many clubs about you. They want to see you get on base like we do. So instead of complaining, let's look in the minors, recognize what we have done and work on your game. You need to get better to start in the big leagues,'" Bowden said.

Chavez's demotion means that Ryan Church will get a chance to be the everyday center fielder, while Terrmel Sledge will remain the fourth outfielder. In fact, Bowden went so far as to say that Church made the team.

According to Robinson, Church is getting the nod over Sledge because Church is the only one, other than Brad Wilkerson, who could play the position.

Robinson also indicated that if Church doesn't work out, Robinson would then switch Wilkerson to center field and Sledge to left field.

"We look at Church now as the center fielder," Robinson said. "Wilky indicated that he would like to stay in one spot and I think he would be very happy in left field. We just have to wait and see."

Church, who was the Expos' Minor League player of the year in 2004, is hitting .220 with five RBIs, but was having success in recent weeks.

Church said he was in shock when he found out that Chavez was sent down and that he would get the chance to be the everyday center fielder. Early this spring, Bowden told Church that he would most likely be sent down to the minor leagues because he had an option left.

"I was really thinking that I was going to go down today or tomorrow," Church said. "But J.J. Davis came to me and told me that Endy was packing his stuff. I said, 'No way.' I went out to batting practice and didn't ask any questions. I was holding off, not thinking I was on the team."

Sledge, a .277 hitter this spring, indicated he didn't mind being the fourth outfielder. He believes that he will get at least 350 at-bats in the role. Sledge had 398 at-bats in a similar role last year.

"I'm just going to play the game," Sledge said. "Whatever role they want me in, I'm going to do it. I'm a big believer that everything will work out. I just want to play ball and have fun out there."

Rauch and Majewski's demotions mean that the pitching staff is now officially set with 11 pitchers going north.

Rauch and Majewski did not have good Spring Trainings. But Bowden and Robinson feel that Majewski and Rauch will help the Nationals later in the season.

Majewski had problems throwing strikes early in camp, but Robinson was pleased that the right-hander was throwing strikes the last two weeks.

Majewski, took the news very well, and said he needed to be more consistent in the strike zone and straighten out mechanics on the mound.

"I had a couple of bad outings early in the spring. I worked the kinks out. The last few outings that I had, I need to do that in Triple-A," Majewski said.

Rauch, who also declined to talk to the media, gave up eight runs in 11 2/3 innings. Robinson said Rauch still wanted to pitch in Monday's game against the Mets.

"As a matter of fact, he said, 'Am I pitching tonight?' I said, 'Do you want to pitch?' He said yeah. I liked his [attitude]. That was a very good thing for him to say. He could have said no."

But Rauch never pitched in the game. Tomo Ohka pitched seven innings and Antonio Osuna pitched the final two.

Now, the Nationals must fill their final two roster spots between Davis and infielders Carlos Baerga and Tony Blanco.

Davis is arguably the best hitter on the team this spring. He has a .414 batting average with a home run and four RBIs, while Blanco is hitting .303 with six RBIs. Blanco has been so-so with the glove, however. Baerga, who is known for his leadership abilities, is hitting .219. with an RBI.

News and features: • Nationals notes: Who will be club's first batter? • Nationals claw past Devil Rays, 5-4 • Nationals notes: Baerga cut from squad
Multimedia: • Nationals writer Bill Ladson  • Siegle discusses the spring  • Hammonds: good vibes in clubhouse
Info:	Schedule  | Ballpark  |  Tickets MLB.com's complete coverage

Back in action: Third baseman Vinny Castilla, who has missed the last nine games because of a hyperextended left knee, played in an intraquad minor league game on Tuesday and went 1-for-5 with an RBI. Castilla also didn't have any problems running the bases.

Castilla is expected to play in an intraquad minor league game on Wednesday and hopes to play against the Marlins on Thursday n Jupiter, Fla.

Robinson said Castilla needs to play nine-inning games during the rest of the exhibition season in order to be ready for Opening Day.

Who's No. 1? With Chavez gone, the Nationals are now looking for a leadoff hitter. Bowden feels the job should belong to Wilkerson, but Robinson said putting him at the spot would be a last resort.

On Tuesday, Robinson put Guzman at the top of the lineup and he went 0-for-3. Even worse, Guzman swung at a 2-0 pitch and popped up to Mets second baseman Miguel Cairo.

Wilkerson said he is nor surprised that he's considered for the leadoff role for the third consecutive year.

"I don't know what's really going to happen, but we have been struggling to score some runs. We'll see what happens," Wilkerson said.

The voice: The Nationals announced on Tuesday that Jim Clarke will be the team's public address announcer for the 2005 season.

Clarke will start April 16 during the weekend series against the Diamondbacks. Twenty-two pre-screened candidates auditioned for the position last week. These candidates read copy, in addition to having an opportunity to demonstrate their ad-lib capabilities, in front of judges, which included former Senators announcer Charlie Brotman, Z104-FM radio hosts Matthew Blades and Whitney.

"We are very pleased to welcome Jim Clarke to the Nationals family," commented president Tony Tavares. "Jim's talent and experience will certainly be a tremendous asset to the Washington Nationals in-game operations and game day experience for our fans."

Brotman will serve as the public address announcer for the Nationals' first home game on Sunday, April 3 against the Mets and the regular season home opener against the Diamondbacks on April 14.

Coming up: The Nationals play the Braves at Space Coast Stadium on Wednesday night.

Right-hander Livan Hernandez will take the mound for the Nationals, while lefty Horacio Ramirez goes on the hill for the Braves.

The last time the two teams faced each other was on March 17 with the Braves winning the game, 4-0.

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