Nationals send strong message by demoting All-Star after casino all-nighter

The Washington Nationals have just eight games remaining in their season (including Saturday) and have already been eliminated from playoff contention.

According to multiple reports, All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams started to check out from the team early. He was spotted at a Chicago-area casino all night and didn't leave until 8 a.m. CT — just five hours before a day game against the Chicago Cubs on Friday. CHGO's Cody Delmendo was first to report the sighting.

Abrams led off in Friday's game, going 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout. Just over 24 hours later, the Nationals optioned Abrams to the minor leagues in an apparent form of punishment.

Triple-A Rochester, where the 23-year-old was sent down to, ends its season on Sunday, meaning Abrams won't be playing any baseball for the remainder of September. That's a sign of how serious Washington took his offense.

Abrams allegedly broke team curfew by staying out at the Bally Casino all night Thursday into Friday, per USA Today's Bob Nightengale. Washington general manager Mike Rizzo and team manager Davey Martinez sent a strong message to the rest of the clubhouse with how they handled Abrams' breach.

"We’re all aware of the report, but beyond that it’s an internal issue that we will keep in the family," Rizzo said about Abrams being sighted at the casino, per The Athletic's Britt Ghiroli.

"I just want it to be known it wasn't performance-based," Martinez told reporters Saturday, via ESPN's Jeff Passan. "It's an internal issue. I'm not going to give specifics."

Abrams was slashing a poor .203/.260/.326 with 5 home runs and 17 stolen bases since the All-Star break, with his defense being an area of concern all year.

He is set to lose $30,000 of his $752,000 salary for missing the final week of the season, per ESPN. But he could file a grievance through the players association if he feels the demotion is unjust.

Washington is a young team with an average clubhouse age of 27. How Washington keeps the players in line and how those players respond will be the most important part.

Fans might remember Rizzo made a similar move with second baseman Luis Garcia Jr. in 2023. He told D.C. sports radio a year ago (h/t Federal Baseball) "it was a preparation assignment," hinting at Garcia's immaturity in the big leagues.

"We wanted him to go down there and learn a routine, learn how to prepare for each and every game in the big leagues," Rizzo said last September. "He went down there and has really tightened up."

The Nationals will hope that this stint — albeit brief and baseball-less — will help Abrams tighten himself up in preparation for next year. Washington needs him at the top of his game to help the team climb back into contention.