The Washington Nationals have made the decision to send All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams to the minor leagues following an incident where he spent the entire night at a casino in Chicago before a game against the Chicago Cubs. Despite being named an MLB All-Star in July, Abrams found himself in hot water after reports surfaced that he had been at the temporary Bally’s Casino in Chicago until 8am before having to play at 1pm on Friday. The 23-year-old struggled in the game, going 0-for-3 with a strikeout and a walk.
Manager Martinez revealed that he had a heartfelt conversation with Abrams about the situation, noting that tears were shed by both parties. While the demotion may be a setback for Abrams, Martinez believes it will be a learning experience for the young player.
Abrams’ performance on the field had been inconsistent following a strong start to the season, but the decision to send him to the minor leagues was solely based on his off-field actions at the casino. He had joined the Nationals in 2022 as part of a trade that sent Juan Soto to the Padres. As a result of the demotion, Abrams will miss out on approximately $30,000 from his $752,000 salary.
It remains to be seen how Abrams will respond to this setback and if he will be able to work his way back to the major leagues. The Nationals are hopeful that this experience will serve as a wake-up call for Abrams and help him refocus on his career moving forward.