Washington Nationals All-Star shortstop C.J. Abrams was demoted to the team’s AAA minor league club on Saturday following an all-nighter spent at a Bally Casino in Chicago.
According to an ESPN report, Abrams left the casino Friday morning and wound up playing in Friday’s 1 p.m. road game against the Chicago Cubs. The 23-year-old performed poorly, going 0-3 with a walk and a strikeout in the 3-1 loss.
Abrams will report to the Nationals' minor league complex in West Palm Beach, Florida
Statements and demotion status
Since Abrams has played with Washington for the entirety of the 2024 MLB regular season, the demotion will not affect his service time, as he's already exceeded the 172 days required to earn a full year of major league service. However, the shortstop could file a grievance through the Major League Baseball Player Association to combat lost pay due to the demotion.
Abrams stands to lose about $30,000 of his $750,000 salary for missing the final week of games on the Nationals’ schedule. Abrams is arbitration-eligible this winter, his first of four entries as a Super 2.
“For me, it’s about taking care of the person first, and not the player, and I’m going to do everything I can to help him,” said Nationals manager, Dave Martinez. “I love the kid. He’s a good kid. He’s going to be back.”
Martinez confirmed Abrams’ demotion, calling it an internal matter. He told reporters he had a long, emotional conversation with Abrams about this decision. “I’m hoping that he understands and that he becomes a better person and understands what his job means here for us, the Nats family,” Martinez continued. “We’re going to get it right, and he’s going to help us win games.”
The MLB's gambling policy prohibits players, coaches, managers, umpires, and other league and club officials from betting on MLB games. This extends to illegal bookmakers and offshore sports betting sites and apps. While Abrams’ presence at Bally Casino didn’t directly violate the MLB's gambling policy, at least five players have breached the policy's terms this season.
In June, San Diego Padres infielder Tucupita Marcano received a lifetime ban for placing nearly 400 wagers on MLB games. In separate incidents, Oakland Athletics pitcher Michael Kelly and three minor league players received one-year suspensions for sports betting violations.
