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.
Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams (shoulder) has been scratched from the lineup on Friday against the division-rival Miami Marlins at Nationals Park due to a sore left shoulder after a diving play on Thursday night. With Abrams out, everyone in the batting order moves up a slot, with rookie outfielder Dylan Crews starting in right field and batting leadoff against Marlins right-hander Edward Cabrera. Nasim Nunez slots in at the 6 in D.C. and will hit in the nine-hole. Fantasy managers should consider Abrams to be day-to-day for now and check back on Saturday to see if he is available to play against the Fish. The rookie Nunez has handled himself well in his first 37 big-league games in 2024 by hitting .345 (10-for-29), but he has yet to clear the fences and will have limited DFS appeal at the bottom of Washington's batting order.
CJ Abrams Back In Leadoff Spot For Game 1 On Saturday
Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams will return to the leadoff spot for the team in Game 1 of their doubleheader on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Pirates and right-hander Luis L. Ortiz at PNC Park. Abrams got the day off in the series opener at PNC Park on Thursday before Friday's contest was postponed due to inclement weather. Fantasy managers in all formats may want to keep the 23-year-old on the bench on Saturday given the way he's struggled lately. Abrams has one hit in 10 at-bats in three games to begin the month and has gone 2-for-26 (.077) with a walk and six strikeouts in his last seven games since Aug. 26. He's still had a dynamic year in 2024 with 18 home runs, 62 RBI and 28 stolen bases, but there's no secret Abrams is scuffling right now. He has never faced Ortiz in his career as he looks to get out of his funk during a doubleheader on Saturday.
Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams will get the day off on Wednesday versus the New York Yankees at Nationals Park. Nasim Nunez will get the nod at the 6 and will bat ninth, while rookie outfielder Dylan Crews will play right field and be moved up to the leadoff spot against Yankees left-hander Carlos Rodon. Abrams is getting a day to clear his head after going hitless in eight at-bats with two strikeouts in the first two games of the series against the Bombers. The 23-year-old has actually hit better against lefties (.287 in 170 plate appearances), but he has only four of his 18 homers on the year against southpaws and could use a blow. Abrams has also gone 8-for-49 (.163) with a homer, three RBI and 17 K's in 13 games since Aug. 14. Crews will be playing in his third MLB game after debuting on Monday. He picked up his first big-league hit on Tuesday with a two-hit performance.
