Nationals Cut Church, Three Others
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Tuesday, March 28, 2006; 6:48 PM
VIERA, Fla. -- Outfielder Ryan Church was optioned to Triple-A New Orleans on Tuesday by the Washington Nationals, meaning rookie Brandon Watson and Marlon Byrd will share time in center field.
"Shocked. Only word I can say. That's it: shocked," said Church, who was chosen the NL rookie of the month in May last season but later lost time to injuries. He wound up hitting .287 with nine homers and 42 RBIs in 102 games for Washington.
Watson, godson of former major leaguer Eric Davis, spent time in 2005 at Double-A Harrisburg and Triple-A New Orleans, hitting .355 at the higher level. He batted .250 in 40 at-bats with the Nationals, and he homered in his major league debut Aug. 9.
General manager Jim Bowden said Tuesday's decision came down to Watson having a better spring than Church.
Watson entered Tuesday with a .311 average, .368 on-base percentage, and seven steals in eight attempts. Church was hitting .200.
The Nationals also optioned right-hander Jason Bergmann and infielder Brendan Harris to New Orleans and reassigned left-hander Bill Bray to minor league camp.
