Nationals hire SS CJ Abrams in disciplinary action

The Washington Nationals sent shortstop CJ Abrams to Triple-A Rochester on Saturday. According to manager Dave Martinez, the surprising move was due to disciplinary reasons.

Instead of joining Rochester's roster before the team's final two games of the season this weekend, Abrams will be sent to the team's facility in West Palm Beach, Florida, according to multiple reports.

Martinez declined to elaborate on the reasons for the move, even though the Nationals' season is just over a week away.

Abrams, 23, has a .246 batting average with 20 home runs and 65 RBIs in 138 games this season. He has slowed down considerably in the second half, with a .203 batting average with five home runs and 17 RBIs in 49 games, but has a .476 batting average with a 1.304 OPS in his final six games.

The Nationals are currently in Chicago for a four-game series against the Cubs. Washington lost 7-6 on Thursday and 3-1 on Friday. The remaining games are Saturday and Sunday. The Nationals still have home series against the Kansas City Royals and Philadelphia Phillies.

In 379 career games over three seasons for the San Diego Padres (2022) and Nationals, Abrams has a career batting average of .246 with 40 home runs and 150 RBIs. The former No. 6 draft pick of the Padres in 2019 was acquired by Washington in the 2022 deal that sent Juan Soto to San Diego.

In a related move, the Nationals have recalled third baseman Trey Lipscomb from Rochester. Lipscomb made his major league debut on March 30 and has a .207 batting average with one home run and 10 RBIs in 58 games for Washington this season.

–Field level media