- CJ Abrams had a very long night of partying before a game against the Cubs
- Nationals manager Dave Martinez said the decision was not based on performance.
Washington Nationals All-Star CJ Abrams has been demoted after reportedly spending all night at a casino before a daytime game on Friday.
Abrams and the Nationals faced the Cubs starting at 1:00 p.m. local time, a game that Chicago won 3-1.
And according to CHGO SportsAbrams was at Bally’s casino in Chicago until 8 a.m.
That decision apparently reached the organization and on Saturday, the shortstop was sent to the minors. ESPN wrote for the first time.
As expected, Abrams struggled in the field after his late exit, going 0-for-3 with one strikeout.
CJ Abrams has been demoted to the minor leagues after staying up all night before a game.
The shortstop played in 15 games in the first half of the season to earn an All-Star nomination.
He will now be sent to West Palm Beach, Florida, where the team’s minor league complex is located.
Nationals manager Dave Martinez did not elaborate on the specific reason for Abrams’ demotion, but acknowledged it had nothing to do with his play.
“I just want it to be known that it was not a performance issue,” he told reporters on Saturday.
“It’s an internal matter. I’m not going to give details.”
Abrams, 23, earned his first All-Star selection after hitting 15 homers in the first 89 games of the season.
However, he has only hit five more since then and is hitting just .203 in the second half of the year.