As expected, Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams (quadriceps) is back in the Grapefruit League lineup on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Rays after being pulled following a first-inning triple on Wednesday. Abrams is back at the 6 and is batting leadoff after experiencing tightness in both of his quadriceps muscles on Wednesday while rounding the bases. After a strong start to last season, the 24-year-old looks primed for another strong start in 2025 while hitting .300 with a home run in 30 at-bats this spring. However, Abrams tailed off in the second half in 2024 and was sent to the minors for staying out past curfew on a trip to Chicago. His chase rate is perhaps his biggest red flag, but Abrams still offers enough power/speed upside to be considered a top-10 fantasy shortstop. He was a first-time All-Star last year and had 20 home runs and 31 stolen bases in 138 games played.
CJ Abrams Pulled On Wednesday But Expected To Return Thursday
Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams (quadriceps) was pulled from Wednesday's Grapefruit League game early against the Houston Astros after both of his quadriceps muscles tightened up on him during his first-inning triple. "He should be OK," manager Dave Martinez said. The 24-year-old is scheduled to be on the trip to Port Charlotte for Thursday's spring game against the Tampa Bay Rays, so it's obviously not a big concern. After tripling in the first inning, Abrams has now gone 9-for-30 in Grapefruit League play with a home run in 10 contests. He was a first-time All-Star in his second full season in D.C. in 2024 but had a lapse in judgment late in the year when he stayed out past curfew, which resulted in a trip back to the minors as punishment. Abrams was unable to sustain a solid first half and also continued to chase too many pitches, but there's no denying his power/speed upside as a top-10 fantasy SS.
Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams will remain the team's leadoff hitter in 2025, according to manager Dave Martinez. Abrams held the top spot in the batting order from July of 2023 until August of last year and hit .252/.318/.441 with 111 runs scored, 35 doubles, nine triples, 28 homers, 89 RBI and 56 stolen bases. He was bumped from the leadoff spot after a second-half slump last year that included a demotion to the minors for disciplinary reasons. "CJ's done well up there," Martinez said. "I want him to lead off." It's unclear what the rest of the Nats' lineup will look like, but outfielder James Wood will probably hit second or third, with outfielder Dylan Crews also near the top of the order. The 24-year-old Abrams should be considered a top-10 fantasy shortstop thanks to his power/speed combo, but there are concerns about his plate discipline and his batted-ball metrics, as well as his maturity.
CJ Abrams Demoted To Triple-A Due To Off-Field Actions
Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams was demoted to Triple-A Rochester earlier on Saturday due to off-field actions. Jim Bowden of CBS Sports reported that Abrams was seen at Bally Casino past 8 am before a 1 pm game, according to multiple eyewitnesses. Fantasy managers should continue monitoring this situation over the season's final week and during the offseason, as the team did not approve of his behavior. Since the start of September, the infielder has held a .271/.308/.458 line with two home runs and four stolen bases. Overall, in his second full season in the big leagues, the 23-year-old has emerged as both a power and speed threat as he hit 20 long balls and swiped 31 bags while holding a .246 AVG. The former first-round pick will likely be one of the first shortstops taken in drafts next season due to his ability to contribute to all five standard categories.
The Washington Nationals are optioning shortstop CJ Abrams to the minor leagues on Saturday, according to sources. Abrams had a breakout first half and was named to the National League All-Star squad, but he has struggled in the second half. Since the All-Star break, the former first-rounder has hit just .203 (38-for-187) with five home runs, eight RBI, 17 RBI, 10 walks, 48 strikeouts and 16 stolen bases in 49 games played to drop his season line to .246/.314/.433. The 23-year-old has still produced his first 20-20 season in his second full season in D.C. with 20 home runs and 31 stolen bases in 138 games after hitting 18 dingers and stealing a career-high 47 bags in 2023. It's an odd move, to say the least, especially with the minor-league seasons concluding on Sunday. Abrams did have four hits on Thursday and has hit .271 (13-for-48) with two homers, three doubles, three RBI and four steals in September.
Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams was seeing the ball well on Thursday, going 4-for-5 with two doubles, two runs scored, and two stolen bases in a 7-6 loss against the Chicago Cubs. Abrams reached the 30-steal mark with his two swipes as he continues to be one of the game's premiere thieves. While his power and speed numbers remain very good, Abrams has struggled tremendously in the second half, with an OPS of .572 in July, .569 in August, and .656 in September coming into this one. He should remain a solid fantasy option in 2025, but managers should be aware that prolonged slumps are likely with Abrams.
Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams (shoulder) is back in the starting lineup ahead of Tuesday's game against the New York Mets. The left-handed slugger returns to the lineup after missing each of the last four games due to left shoulder soreness. Luckily, it was only a minor issue and Abrams should be fully ready to go on Tuesday. He'll serve as the leadoff hitter and cover shortstop against right-hander Tylor Megill. The 23-year-old is slumping in September but is hitting .239 with 20 home runs and 65 RBI in 2024. Fantasy managers who have Abrams rostered can get him back in their lineups on Tuesday.
Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams (shoulder) is out of the starting lineup on Monday for the fourth straight contest against the division-rival New York Mets at Citi Field. With Abrams out again, rookie Nasim Nunez is making another start at the 6 and is batting in the nine-hole against Mets left-hander Sean Manaea. Abrams remains day-to-day to begin the week due to left-shoulder soreness. Fantasy managers obviously need to keep the 23-year-old benched and check back to see if he's available to play on Tuesday for the second game of the series. In his first 40 major-league games this year, Nunez is slashing .270/.386/.297 with a .684 OPS, no home runs, one double, an RBI, six stolen bases and 13 runs scored in 48 trips to the plate. Nunez has been able to make plenty of contact but carries very little fantasy upside, especially at the bottom of the batting order. UPDATE: Abrams is close to returning and was available off the bench on Monday.
Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams (shoulder) is being kept out of the starting nine again on Sunday afternoon as the Nationals look to clinch a series victory over the Miami Marlins. The star infielder has been sidelined since Friday due to shoulder soreness and will need at least another day to rest. As a result, Nasim Nunez will cover shortstop again and bat in the nine-hole. Abrams has emerged as a legit power and speed threat this season, hitting 20 home runs and swiping 29 bags. Nunez has tallied just four hits across his past nine starts and should be left out of your DFS lineup this afternoon as he will face Miami right-hander Adam Oller.
Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams (shoulder) remained out of the lineup on Saturday due to a shoulder injury. The 23-year-old was kept sidelined on Friday as well. Fantasy managers should consider Abrams day-to-day for the time being as he could be cleared to return for the series finale against the Miami Marlins on Sunday. As a result, Nasim Nunez will cover shortstop Saturday afternoon and bat in the nine-hole. Abrams has enjoyed another excellent season this summer, launching 20 home runs and swiping 29 bags while holding a .239 AVG. Nunez has tallied four hits in his past five starts and could be a sneaky play in DFS as he will face Miami right-hander Valente Bellozo.
