Abrams will start at shortstop and bat ninth in Wednesday's game against the Diamondbacks, Kevin Acee of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.
Abrams will stick in the starting nine for the third game in a row after going 1-for-6 with a run scored. The Padres remain optimistic that Manny Machado (ankle) won't require a trip to the injured list, but while Machado is day-to-day and out of the lineup, Abrams will have a clear path to regular work at shortstop while Ha-Seong Kim slides over to third base.
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Padres' CJ Abrams: Hitless in return
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Abrams went 0-for-3 in Monday's 4-1 win over the Diamondbacks.
Abrams was called up for his second stint with San Diego on Monday, and he immediately slotted into the starting lineup, batting eighth and playing shortstop. He wasn't able to reach base, dropping his season slash line in the majors to .172/.258/.259. Abrams is expected to draw plenty of starts while Manny Machado (ankle) is out of action.
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Padres' CJ Abrams: Returns to majors
Rotowire
Abrams was recalled by the Padres on Monday.
Abrams joined the Opening Day roster straight from Double-A this season but looked overmatched. He was demoted a little over a month into the season after struggling to a .182/.270/.273 line in 20 games. He's fared far better in his first taste of Triple-A action, hitting .314/.365/.507 in 30 games for Triple-A El Paso. Depending on the severity of Manny Machado's ankle sprain, Abrams could be in line to start regularly going forward, with Ha-Seong Kim sliding to cover third base, leaving Abrams as the primary option at shortstop.
Abrams is on a seven-game hitting streak with Triple-A El Paso, slashing .429/.429/.657 with two homers, seven RBI and four stolen bases over that span.
The prized prospect was particularly impressive during a three-game stretch between June 11-14, going 11-for-16 with two homers, six RBI and three thefts. After opening the campaign in the majors with the Padres, Abrams has had some ups-and-downs in the minors, including an early nine-game stretch during which he went 4-for-42 at the plate. However, his overall stat line with El Paso -- he's slashing .310/.360/.500 with six long balls, 27 RBI, 32 runs and nine steals in 27 games -- leaves little doubt about his immense talent. It would be surprising if Abrams didn't return to the Padres at some point this season.
Abrams has gone 5-for-15 with three home runs, nine RBI, six runs and two stolen bases in three games since being sent down to Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday.
Abrams made the big club out of spring training but struggled against big-league pitching, slashing .182/.270/.273 over 65 plate appearances. The Padres consequently sent him down for his first stint at the Triple-A level, and the 21-year-old responded by slamming two long balls in his first game and another in his second. It wouldn't be surprising to see Abrams back with San Diego at some point during the campaign.
Abrams was optioned to Triple-A El Paso on Tuesday.
The 21-year-old started 16 games during the first month of the season but never found his groove offensively with a .182/.270/.273 slash line in 65 plate appearances. Abrams' playing time diminished over the past couple weeks, and he'll now head back to the Triple-A level to see more regular at-bats. Ha-Seong Kim should continue to operate as the Friars' primary shortstop, though Abrams could receive another opportunity in the majors later in the year.
Abrams remains on the bench for Saturday's game against the Pirates.
Abrams and Ha-Seong Kim were in something close to a true platoon at shortstop throughout the early part of the season, but Abrams' off day here against JT Brubaker means he's now sat against two straight righties. It's possible he's dealing with an unreported injury, but it's also possible he's being benched due to his .146/.255/.244 slash line. Kim, who's hitting a far better .273/.373/.568, will get another start Saturday.
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Padres' CJ Abrams: Not in Friday's lineup
Rotowire
Abrams will be on the bench Friday against the Padres.
Each of Abrams' previous off days this season came against left-handers, but he'll sit here against righty Zach Thompson. He's struggled significantly at the plate through his first 14 major-league games as one might expect for a player skipping Triple-A after appearing just 42 times at the Double-A level, hitting .146/.255/.244. Ha-Seong Kim will be the shortstop Friday.
Abrams is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Reds.
With southpaw Reiver Sanmartin on the bump for Cincinnati, the lefty-hitting Abrams will give way to righty-hitting platoon mate Ha-Seong Kim at shortstop. Though Abrams seems to have taken hold of the larger side of the timeshare at the position, his .143 average and lack of counting stats (one home run, one stolen base, five runs and two RBI over 40 plate appearances) have thus far capped his fantasy appeal. Abrams' long-term fantasy ceiling is high, though he may not come close to realizing it as a rookie.
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Padres' CJ Abrams: Sitting versus southpaw
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Abrams is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Dodgers.
Abrams will once again head to the bench against a left-handed starting pitcher. Ha-Seong Kim will start at shortstop with Clayton Kershaw on the mound for Los Angeles.
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Padres' CJ Abrams: On bench against lefty
Rotowire
Abrams isn't starting Friday's game against the Dodgers.
Left-hander Julio Urias is starting for the Dodgers on Friday, so Abrams will retreat to the bench. Ha-Seong Kim will take over at shortstop and bat eighth.
