The Washington Nationals have made a shocking move, demoting All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams to Triple-A after reports surfaced of a late-night outing at a casino. The Nationals announced the surprising decision on Friday, citing a violation of the team’s code of conduct.
Abrams, who was selected to his first All-Star Game this season, has been a key contributor to the Nationals’ success on the field. The 21-year-old phenom has been a force at the plate, batting .297 with 15 home runs and 45 RBI in 78 games this season. His stellar play earned him a spot on the National League All-Star team, where he dazzled fans with his speed, power, and defensive prowess.
However, Abrams’ off-field behavior has now overshadowed his on-field success. According to reports, the young shortstop was spotted at a local casino in the early hours of the morning, just hours before a crucial game against the division-rival Atlanta Braves. The Nationals were reportedly made aware of the situation and took immediate action to address the issue.
In a statement released by the team, Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo expressed disappointment in Abrams’ decision to visit the casino during the season. Rizzo emphasized the team’s commitment to upholding a high standard of professionalism and accountability, and stated that Abrams’ actions were not in line with the team’s expectations.
“We hold all of our players to a high standard of conduct both on and off the field,” Rizzo said. “CJ Abrams’ decision to visit a casino late at night was a clear violation of our team’s code of conduct, and we have decided to demote him to Triple-A as a result.”
The Nationals’ decision to demote Abrams to Triple-A comes at a critical point in the season, as the team is currently in the thick of a playoff race in the competitive National League East. With the All-Star shortstop now sidelined, the team will have to rely on other players to step up and fill the void left by his absence.
It remains to be seen how Abrams will respond to this setback and whether he will be able to work his way back to the major league roster. In the meantime, the Nationals will have to move forward without one of their star players and hope that the team can continue its push for a postseason berth without him.