The Washington Nationals have decided to demote All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams to the minor leagues following an incident where he spent the night at a casino in the Chicago area ahead of a day game against the Chicago Cubs. Sources informed ESPN that this decision was made after Abrams left the casino just hours before the game, which took place on Friday at 1 p.m. CT.
Manager Dave Martinez confirmed the move and emphasized that it was primarily an internal matter. He had a heartfelt conversation with Abrams on Friday, where they both expressed their emotions. Martinez highlighted his commitment to supporting Abrams during this challenging time, stating, “For me, it’s about taking care of the person first, and not the player. I love the kid. He’s a good kid. He’s going to be back.”
As Abrams has been with the Nationals throughout the season, this demotion will not impact his service time. He has already surpassed the 172-day threshold needed for a full year of Major League service. However, he could pursue a grievance through the Major League Baseball Players Association if he feels the demotion is unjust, potentially losing around $30,000 from his $752,000 salary by missing the last week of the season. Abrams is set to enter arbitration this winter as a first-time eligible player under the Super 2 classification.
MacKenzie Gore, a close friend and fellow player, expressed his support for Abrams, noting that it was a challenging moment for him as they have played together throughout their Major League careers. “CJ’s family — it’s tough hearing that, and you care about him. So it was tough, because we’re close, he’s family and you lose your best player,” Gore said.
Martinez sees this as an opportunity for Abrams to grow and learn from the experience. “I’m hoping that he understands and that he becomes a better person and understands what his job means here for us, the Nats family,” Martinez added.
Abrams was initially acquired from the San Diego Padres as part of the trade for Juan Soto two years ago and had a strong start to the season, earning an All-Star selection with notable stats in the first half. However, his performance declined in the latter half of the season, and he faced challenges in his defensive play. The decision to send him to the minor leagues was not made until the news of his casino visit came to light.