The Nationals optioned Abrams to Triple-A Rochester on Saturday, Britt Ghiroli of The Athletic reports.
Since the All-Star break, Abrams has slashed just .203/.260/.326 with five home runs and 17 RBI -- a stark contrast from the .832 OPS he logged during the first half of the year. However, manager Dave Martinez said Saturday that Abrams' demotion is not related to his performance. Instead, the decision to send him down to the minors comes amid reports that he stayed out past curfew at a casino in Chicago prior to Friday's early-afternoon game against the Cubs, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.com. With Rochester's season wrapping up, the 23-year-old will instead report to the Nationals' complex in Florida for the final week of the season. Meanwhile, Nasim Nunez will likely be first in line to take over as Washington's primary shortstop.
Nationals' CJ Abrams: Four hits, two steals in loss
Rotowire
Abrams went 4-for-5 with two doubles, two stolen bases and two runs scored in Thursday's loss to the Cubs.
Abrams singled to lead off the contest before going on to steal second and third, and eventually coming around to score on a knock from Andres Chaparro. The shortstop would also add two doubles before finishing the contest with his first four-hit performance of the season. Abrams has now hit safely in five straight games, posting multiple hits three times over that stretch. His two stolen bases Thursday also put him over the 30-steal mark for the second straight season in his young and promising career.
Abrams (shoulder) will start at shortstop and bat leadoff Tuesday against the Mets.
Left-shoulder soreness has prevented Abrams from playing in each of Washington's last four games, but he seems to finally be feeling better entering Tuesday's contest. The 23-year-old has been in a bit of a slump at the plate recently, slashing just .176/.194/.382 with two home runs and three RBI since the start of September.
Abrams (shoulder) is available off the bench for Monday's game against the Mets, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Abrams is missing a fourth straight start due to left shoulder discomfort, but it sounds like his return to the lineup could happen any day now. Nasim Nunez is picking up another start at shortstop in Monday's series opener.
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Nationals' CJ Abrams: Remains on bench Monday
Rotowire
Abrams (shoulder) is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Mets, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
He'll miss out on a fourth consecutive start while he continues to contend with a sore left shoulder. Nasim Nunez will once again fill in at shortstop in place of Abrams, who is considered day-to-day and may be available off the bench Monday.
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Nationals' CJ Abrams: Sitting again Sunday
Rotowire
Abrams (shoulder) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Marlins, Spencer Nusbaum of The Washington Post reports.
It's the third straight game on the bench for Abrams due to shoulder soreness after he was scratched from the starting nine for Friday's series opener versus Miami. Nasim Nunez will receive another look at shortstop for the Nationals. Manager Dave Martinez indicated Abrams could be available off the bench Sunday and may return to the lineup Monday against the Mets, per Nusbaum.
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Nationals' CJ Abrams: Remaining out Saturday
Rotowire
Abrams (shoulder) isn't in the Nationals' lineup for Saturday's game against the Marlins.
Left shoulder soreness prevented Abrams from playing in Friday's game, and he'll need at least one more day to recover Saturday. While he rests, Nasim Nunez will get the starting nod at shortstop and bat ninth.
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Nationals' CJ Abrams: Scratched Friday
Rotowire
The Nationals scratched Abrams from the lineup Friday against Miami due to left shoulder soreness, Mark Zuckerman of MASNSports.com reports.
Abrams made a diving play during Thursday's game and tweaked his left shoulder. He was slated to bat leadoff and play shortstop prior to being scratched. Nasim Nunez will enter the lineup in place of Abrams, but will bat ninth. Abrams will likely undergo further testing, but the injury doesn't seem to be significant at this point.
Abrams went 2-for-4 with a home run and an additional run in Wednesday's 5-1 victory versus Atlanta.
Abrams crushed a 420-foot homer to center field in the fourth inning for his 20th homer of the campaign. It's the first time he's reached that mark in his career -- the shortstop fell just short with 18 long balls last year. Abrams also has 28 steals this season, making him one of 10 big leaguers to reach 20-20 so far.
