CJ Abrams (ankle) returns to shortstop

Abrams hit a 415-foot homer off Justin Wrobleski to begin the fourth inning. He’s the 15th different shortstop to hit 30 homers in a season at age 25 or younger. Colson Montgomery has also done it this year. The other active players to pull it off are Francisco Lindor (three times), Manny Machado, Trevor Story, Fernando Tatis Jr., Bobby Witt Jr. (twice) and Gunnar Henderson.

Abrams is tentatively back at shortstop after sitting out Monday’s series opener with back tightness. The 25-year-old power/speed combo threat is expected to split time between shortstop and second base over the final couple weeks of the season.

It sounds like a precautionary measure, but back issues can be complex and tricky matters that tend to linger. The 25-year-old was originally slated to start at shortstop in this one. It’ll be Nasim Nuñez taking over in his place. Fantasy managers should consider him day-to-day for now.

Butera highlighted Abrams’ strong play at shortstop recently as a motivating factor behind the decision to reverse course on their original plan. There’s a chance the Nationals bring up top prospect Seaver King when rosters expand later this week, which would further complicate the equation. Regardless, it sounds like the club is slowly backing away from a permanent move off the position for Abrams, which is going to be a variable to monitor during the offseason and spring training.

No word yet on the reason for the swap. Nasim Nuñez takes over at shortstop with CJ Abrams moving to DH and José Tena getting the nod at second base.

Abrams swiped second base in the opening frame to reach the lofty 25-steal plateau for the fourth consecutive season. Cubs burgeoning star Pete Crow-Armstrong, the presumptive favorite for the NL MVP Award heading into the final month of the season, is the only other player with 25 homers and 25 steals this season. He put Washington ahead for good with an RBI double in the fifth inning and looked like his usual self following a four-game absence due to a sprained left ankle.

Abrams is back at DH and hitting leadoff following an extended four-game absence due to a sprained left ankle. The 25-year-old middle infielder, who is expected to transition to second base in the near future, has managed to avoid a trip to the injured list for now. There are serious question marks regarding his defense at shortstop, but he’s been an upper-echelon fantasy contributor this season, recording a career-high 29 homers along with 24 steals in 124 games.

Abrams has made progress in his recovery from a sprained left ankle but still isn’t quite ready to rejoin the Nationals’ lineup. It’s possible that he could be available off the bench on Sunday. Nasim Nuñez will once again cover the shortstop position in his absence and will bat eighth for the Nats against Marlins’ right-hander Janson Junk.

Abrams takes a seat for the third consecutive game as he continues to deal with a sprained left ankle that he suffered earlier this week. The 25-year-old fantasy standout is expected to make the gradual transition to second base during the final few weeks of the season with Nasim Nuñez taking over temporarily until sizzling-hot top prospect Seaver King, who has homered eight times in 16 games since the start of August, is ready to take over the position. He figures to be ready the moment rosters expand in September, which makes him a worthwhile stash in deeper mixed leagues. The Nationals also have intriguing infield prospect Devin Fitz-Gerald, who came over in the MacKenzie Gore trade last offseason, making noise in the upper minors as well.

Nationals’ manager Blake Butera told reporters on Thursday night that X-rays on Abrams’ ankle came back negative for any fractures and that he’s just dealing with a minor left ankle sprain. They’re hopeful that he’ll be able to return to the lineup on Saturday. Nasim Nuñez will once again start in his place at shortstop on Friday night and will bat eighth against Marlins’ right-hander Ryan Gusto.