At first, it was completely incomprehensible why the Washington Nationals sent All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams to Triple-A Rochester on Saturday. The Triple-A season ends on Sunday, and the Nationals — already eliminated from the playoff race — have just eight games left.
But a former MLB executive has uncovered the obvious reason behind Washington’s puzzling move.
Former Nationals general manager Jim Bowden said Saturday that Abrams was at a Bally’s casino until 8 a.m. before facing the Chicago Cubs at 1 p.m. CT on Friday. Abrams went 0-for-3 with one walk in that game, which the Nationals lost 3-1.
CJ Abrams has been out 8 of his last 17…the NL All-Star was selected today. Why? Because, according to testimony, he was at the Bally Casino until 8 a.m. before a 1 p.m. game. #Nationals The GM/President said that this was not the case during his tenure and that he went to the minor leagues.
— Jim Bowden⚾️ (@JimBowdenGM) 21 September 2024
Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo addressed this report before Saturday’s game.
“We are all aware of the report, but beyond that, it is an internal matter that we will keep within the family,” Rizzo said (via The athlete).
Abrams, once considered one of the top talents in all of baseball, was named an All-Star for the first time in 2024 after posting a .268/.343/.489 batting average with 15 home runs and 48 RBIs in his first 89 games. But the 23-year-old cooled off considerably in the second half of the season, posting a .203/.260/.326 batting average with just five home runs in 49 games.
Of course, Abrams’ struggles since the All-Star break don’t seem to be the main reason for his demotion. Abrams hit 10-for-21 (.476 batting average) with three doubles and a home run in his final six games before being sent down to Triple-A.
The Nationals, who missed the playoffs for the fifth consecutive year since winning the 2019 World Series, will close their season with two more games against the Cubs and two three-game series against the Kansas City Royals and Philadelphia Phillies.
