Shocking Move As Nationals Demote All-Star CJ Abrams To Minors

In a surprising development, the Washington Nationals have demoted their 2024 All-Star and burgeoning star shortstop CJ Abrams to Triple-A, for an off-the-field issue.

Davey Martinez says CJ Abrams being optioned to AAA is an “internal” matter but that it’s not performance related. Says CJ is big part of the family now and going forward. “I assure you he will be better” in the future as a result of this. He’ll report to West Palm for now.
— Dan Kolko (@masnKolko) September 21, 2024

Sure, Abrams has struggled in the second half, batting only .203 with a .586 OPS (.268 and .831 in the first half), hitting just five homers compared to just 15 in the first half.

But according to manager Dave Martinez, that is not why he's being optioned. Martinez called the move an "internal" matter that is not performance-based. He did emphasize, however, that whatever the issue, Abrams is a 'big part of the family now and going forward.'

“I assure you he will be better” in the future as a result of this, Martinez added, as reported by Dan Kolko.

The soon-to-be 24-year-old will actually not report to Triple-A Rochester, but instead head to the Nats' Florida training center in West Palm, Florida.

Overall on the season, he's batting .246 on the season with a .747 with 20 homers and 31 stolen bases.