Vargas Is In, Chavez Is Sent Down

PHOENIX, May 10 -- The injury-plagued Washington Nationals activated right-hander Claudio Vargas to start Wednesday's series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks, the latest move that transforms the team during its nine-game road trip.

Vargas, a power pitcher who is 11-13 with a 4.80 ERA in two major league seasons, will make just his second major league start since last June. He had been on the disabled list with elbow problems. After the game, the club optioned outfielder Endy Chavez  who went 2 for 9 since being called up last week  to Class AAA New Orleans to make room for Vargas.

"I think I'm ready," Vargas said. "I'm excited to come back and get started here. I'm a starter. That's what I've been my whole life. I think I can do that for this team, and help us keep winning."

Vargas's activation moves Tomo Ohka (2-3, 4.80 ERA) to the bullpen.

"We want people going out there on the mound to give us a chance, and right now, he's not doing that," Manager Frank Robinson said. "Until he is, or I think he is capable of doing that, he'll have to work out of the bullpen."

Johnson Enjoys Health

Nick Johnson's motto has remained consistent.

"I'm healthy," he said.

That, then, is the basis for why he's off to, by far, the best start of his career. Gone are the back problems of last season, the wrist and hand problems of seasons past. Johnson, the Washington Nationals' first baseman, entered Tuesday night's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks having reached base in 30 of 31 games. He came into the game hitting .333, eighth in the National League, and his on-base percentage of .448 was fifth in the NL. In Monday's 4-3 victory over the Diamondbacks, he went 3 for 4 with his fourth homer and the game-winning double.

"He didn't show us this last year, even when he was healthy," Manager Frank Robinson said. "He is, to me, a force to be reckoned with right now. He is swinging the bat with much better bat speed right now than he did last year. He is a very tough out right now."

Guzman to Be Reevaluated

Shortstop Cristian Guzman's strained left hamstring will be reevaluated when the team returns to Washington later in the week. Robinson expects Guzman to be out only five to seven days.

Castilla Slips a Little

The other side is third baseman Vinny Castilla, whose 1-for-17 slide has his average down to .298. "If I would keep up how I started, I'd hit .500 for the year," he said. "This kind of stuff happens. I'll be fine." . . .

The Nationals entered Tuesday's game with 11 road wins, most in the NL. Of the Nationals' seven opponents thus far, only Philadelphia (15-18) is under .500.