23 Sep at 9:22 am

CJ Abrams Demoted After Late-Night Casino Visit

Baseball player throwing a ball during a game in a Washington Nationals uniform with a number 5 jersey.

Washington Nationals infielder in action during a game, showcasing his defensive skills. ©cj__abrams

The Washington Nationals announced Saturday that All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams has been demoted to the minors after it was revealed he spent an all-nighter at Bally’s Casino in Chicago before Friday’s game against the Cubs. Nationals general manager Mike Rizzo, furious upon learning the news, made the decision to send Abrams to the team’s minor league complex in West Palm Beach, Florida, for the remainder of the season.

No Impact on Arbitration Status Despite $30,000 Pay Cut

While the demotion will cost Abrams roughly $30,000 in lost wages, it won’t impact his arbitration status. Abrams, a first-time Super 2 arbitration-eligible player, already accumulated the necessary 172 days on the major league roster.

Performance Not the Cause, Says Martinez

Despite Abrams’ struggles in the second half of the season—where he has hit just .203 with a .326 slugging percentage—Nationals manager Davey Martinez clarified that the demotion was unrelated to his play on the field.

“I just want it to be known it wasn’t performance-based. It’s an internal issue,” Martinez said before Saturday’s game against the Cubs. “I’m not going to get into specifics because I need to keep everything on the down-low.”

Abrams’ Casino Night Caught on Social Media

The situation unfolded after a social media post on X (formerly Twitter) showed Abrams at Bally’s Casino in Chicago until 8 a.m. on Friday morning, just five hours before the first pitch at Wrigley Field. Abrams, who went hitless in Friday’s game, was called into Martinez’s office afterward to address the post.

Abrams’ Future with the Nationals

As one of the centerpieces of the 2022 Juan Soto trade, Abrams was expected to be a core player in the Nationals’ rebuild. Although he has struggled recently, he still represented the Nationals at the All-Star Game this season. Now, his immediate future will be spent away from the major league club as he deals with the consequences of his actions.