Playing for a Major League Baseball team is an honor only granted to a select few. On Friday night, one All-Star found out what can happen when that privilege is taken lightly.
Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams, a first-time All-Star in 2024 at the age of 23, was demoted to the minor leagues on Friday. The news would have been shocking at any time, but especially so for Abrams now, following a stretch of 12 hits in 10 games.
However, Nationals manager Dave Martinez emphasized on Saturday that the demotion was "not performance-based," according to Andrew Golden of the Washington Post. The manager said that it was an internal matter, and he wouldn't go into specifics.
According to ESPN's Jeff Passan, Abrams stayed out at a local Chicago casino until well into the morning, just a few hours before the Nationals had to report to Wrigley Field for Friday's 1 p.m. game against the Chicago Cubs. He went 0-for-3 in the game that afternoon, then was informed of his demotion after the final out.
Martinez also noted that Abrams will be sent to the Nationals' minor-league complex in West Palm Beach, Florida, and will not appear in another major-league game this season. The Nationals have eight games remaining and have already been eliminated from the playoffs.
Acquired in the Juan Soto trade in 2022 with the San Diego Padres, Abrams' breakout was one of the high points of Washington's season. He had an .832 OPS with 15 home runs and 15 steals before the All-Star break, but cooled off significantly in the second half.
Abrams will finish the 2024 season (his second full year in MLB) with a .246/.314/.433 slash line, 20 home runs, and 31 stolen bases. His defense at shortstop has been a hot topic as well, as he currently has -18 outs above average, worst among all defenders in MLB this season.
Washington appeared to have an exciting core developing with Abrams and outfielders James Wood and Dylan Crews all in the same lineup. They have been seen by many as a
"sleeping giant" in the National League East and could even pursue their former superstar Soto in free agency this summer.
There's still plenty of reason for optimism. But the Nationals' shortstop will have some trust to rebuild with his organization before he can worry about slotting back in as their leadoff hitter.
More MLB: Braves 'power-speed savant' could match Shohei Ohtani's 50-50 season, report says
