The Washington Nationals have officially demoted All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams to the minor leagues after he reportedly spent all night at a casino in the Chicago area before a day game against the Chicago Cubs. This decision, confirmed by Nationals manager Dave Martinez, was described as “the right thing to do.”
Abrams, 23, played in Friday’s game where he went 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout. Following the game, he will be sent to the Nationals’ minor league complex in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Martinez discussed the demotion as an internal matter, revealing that he had a lengthy and emotional conversation with Abrams, during which both showed their support for one another. “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 said after the Nationals secured a 5-1 win over the Cubs. He expressed his affection for Abrams, calling him a “good kid” who will eventually return to the team.
Since Abrams has been with the Nationals for the entire season, this demotion will not impact his service time. However, he could file a grievance through the MLB Players Association regarding lost pay, as missing the final week of the season would cost him approximately $30,000 of his $752,000 salary. Abrams is set to become arbitration-eligible this winter as a Super 2 player.
MacKenzie Gore, a close friend of Abrams and teammate since their time with the Padres, shared his struggle with the situation. “It’s a tough situation for me, and I’m always going to be for CJ there in this situation,” said Gore, reflecting the emotional toll of the news on their close bond.
Martinez suggested that this situation could serve as a growth opportunity for Abrams, hoping he will gain a better understanding of his responsibilities to the team and the Nationals’ community.
Abrams was acquired as a key player in the trade deal involving Juan Soto two years ago, and he had a stellar first half of the season that earned him an All-Star selection. However, his performance declined in the second half, and his defense has been a consistent struggle. The Nationals did not initially plan to send him to the minors until they learned of his casino visit.