The Washington Nationals have decided to send All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams to the minor leagues following his late-night visit to a casino near Chicago just hours before a Friday day game against the Cubs, according to sources. Manager Dave Martinez referred to the decision as “the right thing to do” in light of the circumstances.
Abrams, 23, led off for the Nationals in the game and went 0-for-3, adding a walk and a strikeout. After the incident, he will be heading to West Palm Beach, Florida, where the Nationals’ minor league complex is located.
Martinez confirmed Abrams’ demotion, labeling it an internal matter. He shared that he had an emotional conversation with Abrams, during which they both expressed their feelings. “For me, it’s about taking care of the person first, and not the player,” Martinez stated, emphasizing his commitment to support Abrams. “I love the kid. He’s a good kid. He’s going to be back.”
As Abrams has been with the Nationals for the entire season, his demotion will not impact his service time. Players achieve a full year of service with 172 days on the major league roster, and Abrams has already surpassed this requirement. However, he may consider filing a grievance through the Major League Baseball Players Association to contest the demotion, which could cost him approximately $30,000 from his $752,000 salary for the final week of the season. Abrams is set to become arbitration-eligible this winter as a Super 2 player.
MacKenzie Gore, who has a close relationship with Abrams and also joined the Nationals from the Padres, expressed difficulty in discussing his friend’s situation. He noted, “It’s a tough situation for me, and I’m always going to be for CJ there in this situation. He’s family, and you lose your best player.”
Martinez sees this moment as an opportunity for Abrams to grow. “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,” he commented.
Abrams was acquired as part of the significant trade involving Juan Soto two years ago and had a strong first half of the season, leading to his All-Star selection. However, he encountered challenges in the latter half, with a batting average dropping to .203 and his defensive performance being a concern.
The Nationals did not plan on sending Abrams to the minors until news of his overnight outing at the casino came to light.