The Washington Nationals are down to their final eight games of the season, having already been eliminated from playoff contention. In a surprising turn of events, All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams was demoted to the minors after an incident that raised eyebrows within the organization.
Reports indicate that Abrams was seen at a Chicago-area casino, where he stayed overnight until 8 a.m. CT, just hours before a day game against the Chicago Cubs. This behavior, highlighted by CHGO’s Cody Delmendo, caught the attention of the team’s management.
In Friday’s game, Abrams struggled, going 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout. Shortly after, the Nationals decided to option him to Triple-A Rochester, signaling that they took his actions seriously.
The demotion appears to be a response to Abrams allegedly breaking team curfew by spending the night at Bally Casino, as noted by USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. General manager Mike Rizzo and manager Davey Martinez aimed to send a strong message to the entire team regarding professionalism and accountability.
While Rizzo acknowledged awareness of the situation, he stated it would remain an internal matter. Martinez clarified that the decision was not based on performance, emphasizing the internal nature of the issue.
Abrams had been struggling at the plate, posting a disappointing .203 batting average with five home runs and 17 stolen bases since the All-Star break. His defensive skills also raised concerns throughout the season.
As a result of the demotion, Abrams stands to lose $30,000 from his $752,000 salary for the final week of the season. However, he could potentially file a grievance through the players’ association if he believes the demotion was unjustified.
With an average clubhouse age of 27, the Nationals are a young team, and how management handles situations like this is crucial for player development and morale moving forward.
Fans might recall a similar situation last season involving second baseman Luis Garcia, who was sent down for “preparation” reasons. Rizzo mentioned then that the goal was for Garcia to learn how to prepare for big league games.
The hope is that this brief hiatus from the majors will help Abrams develop the discipline and focus needed to contribute effectively next season. Washington will rely on his performance as they aim to return to contention in the future.