Nats demote All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams due to an internal issue, a decision that has raised eyebrows among fans and analysts alike. The Washington Nationals announced this surprising move on Saturday, emphasizing that it was not related to his performance on the field.
Manager Dave Martinez shared the news prior to the Nationals’ game against the Chicago Cubs, indicating that the choice was driven by circumstances outside of baseball.
According to ESPN, the situation arose after Abrams reportedly spent Thursday night at a casino in the Chicago area, returning just hours before Friday’s game, which began at 1 p.m. local time. His performance in the game was lackluster, going 0-for-3.
In a press conference on Saturday, Martinez refrained from discussing the specifics of the internal matter, stating, “I just want it to be known, it wasn’t performance-based — it’s an internal issue. I’ve got other guys out there that I want to support. I’m going to support CJ. He’s a big part of our Nats family, and he will be. At this point, for me, it’s the right thing to do.”
This season, Abrams has recorded a batting average of .246, along with 20 home runs, 65 RBIs, and 31 stolen bases.
The decision to send Abrams to Triple-A Rochester will result in a financial hit of $18,885 for the player. His contract stipulates a salary of $752,400 in the majors and $362,100 in the minors, meaning he will receive the lower amount for the remaining days of the season.
Rochester, unfortunately, did not qualify for the International League postseason and will conclude its season on Sunday. Martinez confirmed that Abrams will not join the Red Wings and will instead return to Washington before heading to the team’s training complex in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Martinez described his conversation with Abrams on Friday as emotional, noting that both men shared tears during their discussion. He reiterated his commitment to supporting Abrams, who is set to celebrate his 24th birthday on October 3.
“For me, it’s about taking care of the person first, and not the player, and I’m going to do everything I can to help him,” Martinez stated. “I love the kid. He’s a good kid. He’s going to be back.”
Abrams, who joined the Nationals from San Diego in the August 2022 trade that sent Juan Soto to the Padres, had a strong start to the season, batting .268 with 15 home runs and 48 RBIs before the All-Star break. However, his performance dipped to .203 with five homers and 17 RBIs since then, although he was batting .271 in September.
Martinez expressed hope that Abrams would learn from this experience and grow both as a player and a person, emphasizing the importance of understanding his role within the Nationals organization. “We’re going to get it right, and he’s going to help us win games,” Martinez concluded.
In the meantime, infielder Trey Lipscomb has been recalled from Rochester to fill the gap left by Abrams.
