Unless he's needed out of the bullpen tonight, Matt Chico will start Wednesday's series finale against the Phillies. Shawn Hill, who received a cortisone shot in his ailing right elbow on Saturday, will be skipped this time around the rotation but expects to return the next time around.

"It's a precautionary type of thing," manager Manny Acta said. "We all know how Shawn is, and if it was up to him, he would be out there. But let's face it, he just got a cortisone shot. I think we feel it's best for the team and for everybody that he should just take that turn off."

So Chico gets the call again after making three relief appearances and getting himself back together after a miserable 0-5 start to the season.

"He has looked comfortable and he's thrown the ball well, especially the last time in Baltimore," Acta said. "Hopefully he's relaxed enough now."

Chico, who has maintained a starter's mentality all along, said the transition shouldn't be difficult. He, too, is pleased with the way things have gone since he got bumped out of the rotation. "I think I've found myself," he said.

The Nationals would have to shift gears if Tim Redding struggles to get through five innings tonight, or if this one goes deep into extra innings and Chico is needed out of the bullpen. But the club's preferred plan is to have Chico be the fill-in starter on Wednesday.