BRADENTON, Fla. - Left-hander Dave Williams, who came to spring training trying to win a spot in the Pittsburgh Pirates' rotation, was one of eight players cut from the roster Monday.

Williams was optioned to Class AAA Nashville along with catcher J.R. House and outfielder Tony Alvarez. Pitcher Ian Snell was optioned to Class AA Altoona.

Pitcher Hector Almonte, infielders Luis Figueroa and Brandon Chaves, and outfielder Luke Allen were also reassigned to the minor-league camp. The Pirates have 49 players remaining in camp.

Williams, 25, made 18 starts with the Pirates in 2001 and nine the following season before developing left shoulder problems. He underwent labrum surgery that year and was limited to 16 starts last year at Nashville.

"I don't think he's far off," Pirates manager Lloyd McClendon said. "But he's not ready to compete at a high level, not just yet."

With Williams out, Rick Reed, Ryan Vogelsong and rookie Sean Burnett are competing for the fifth starter spot.

Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield said Williams needs to show he's healthy before he can compete for a job in the rotation.

"The combination of his velocity being down, the command not being there and really not having any bite to his stuff, that points to us that he needs to get stretched out and pitch more innings," Littlefield said.

Williams pitched only two innings this spring and gave up five runs in his first appearance.

"You only get so much time each spring to show your worth," Williams said. "It's a thing where I need a little bit more time and there's only so much time in the spring to showcase yourself."

House, 24, once was considered the Pirates' top prospect, but he's coming off two injury-shortened seasons. This will be his first season at Nashville.

"He needs to get out there, compete and be a healthy player," said McClendon, who called House the most improved player in camp. "The most important thing is he goes out and plays every day. He needs to get a full year under his belt so we can evaluate him properly."

Alvarez, 24, was 8 for 20 with two doubles and five RBI this spring, but he'll begin a second season at Nashville. Snell, 22, was the Pirates' minor-league pitcher of the year in 2003 and was 4-0 in six starts at Altoona. He was competing in his first major-league camp. "The experience he gained here will help him immensely," McClendon said. Almonte, Figueroa, Chaves and Allen were in camp on non-roster contracts.

NOTES: Reed, who did not start Sunday against the New York Yankees because of a lower back strain, had an MRI taken Monday. The Pirates don't know how much time Reed will miss. ... Left-hander Sean Burnett, scheduled to start Monday against the Detroit Tigers, was scratched because of irritation in his pitching shoulder. Burnett will throw on the side Tuesday and could pitch later in the week. ... Right-hander John Van Benschoten, the organization's top-rated prospect, made his first start Monday against the Tigers.

AP-ES-03-16-04 0012EST