CJ

Abrams

Abrams is heading back to Washington to be re-evaluated after getting into a pair of rehab contests. The 24-year-old speedster might be ready to return later this week, but that’s not official yet.

Abrams has been sidelined for a little over a week with a right hip flexor strain and was cleared to begin baseball activities this past weekend. He might spend most of this week getting his rhythm and timing back and could return to the Nationals’ lineup next week.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez told reporters Saturday that Abrams still has some boxes to check from a lateral movement standpoint before he’s ready to return from the injured list. The 24-year-old shortstop is working his way back from a right hip flexor strain, but figures to be ready to return by the end of April or early May.

Abrams left Friday’s game against the Marlins in the fourth inning with the hip injury, and the 24-year-old will need to be on the shelf for at least a week-plus. Nasim Nuñez has been recalled from Triple-A Rochester to take his place on the roster. There should be more clarity on Abrams’ prognosis shortly, but it’s likely that the speedy infielder will miss more than the minimum stint on the IL.

Abrams missed a pair of games earlier in the week due to tightness in his thigh, so the chances are that this is probably related. Amed Rosario took his place in the lineup with Paul Dejong shuffling over to cover shortstop. Expect the Nationals to provide an update on Abrams’ status after the game.

Abrams hit a leadoff homer in the first off an ineffective Landon Knack to get the Nats on the board. The homer was his fourth of 2025, while his steal gives him three over the first dozen games. Abrams is a different hitter than he was projected to be as a prospect, but the power/speed combo is always going to be enticing.

Paul DeJong slides back over to third base. James Wood is batting second behind Abrams in the leadoff spot, which is good to see. Wood, who was originally the Nationals’ No. 2 hitter, was dropped to fifth last weekend before hitting first and second with Abrams out the last two days.

The Nationals are again using Paul DeJong at shortstop, but in a change from last night, Amed Rosario is getting the call over José Tena at third base against a lefty. The setup is a little interesting, only because Rosario, who lacks much experience at third base, was treated as the fallback shortstop this spring; he played just one game at third base in Grapefruit League, whereas DeJong played only one game at short.

Nationals manager Dave Martinez downplayed the severity of the issue on Monday afternoon when speaking with reporters, but it’s a situation fantasy managers should monitor closely in the coming days. The 24-year-old speedster is day-to-day for now.

No word on anything being wrong with Abrams, so it’s probably just his first day off of the season. The Nationals have Paul DeJong at short and José Tena at third. James Wood has taken on leadoff duties.