ARLINGTON -- In more ways than one, the topic of CJ Abrams going to second base has become a sore subject for the Nationals and the two-time All Star.
There was nearly a week of speculation about when, exactly, the shortstop would be moved to second -- a yet-to-be-implemented move that the Nationals announced last Friday. Abrams has said he views himself as a shortstop long term, and he is taking the new defensive assignment day by day. He still hasn’t played there in a game yet.
Now second base has become an issue again -- but this time it was the bag itself, not the position. Abrams’ left ankle rolled as he stepped on the base while legging out a ninth-inning double in a 6-0 win over the Rangers on Wednesday. Though he finished the game, Abrams was out of the lineup for Thursday’s rubber game at Globe Life Field. Manager Blake Butera said Abrams sprained his ankle on the play, which stood as safe after an unsuccessful Rangers challenge.
“It definitely got worse overnight,” Butera said. “After the game, he was like, ‘Yeah, it's bothering me, but I think I'll be good tomorrow.’ Then this morning, I checked in with him, and he [said] it just kind of blew up on him. He said he woke up around 8 with it feeling pretty bad. He’s just been getting treatment all day today.”
Butera said Abrams was day to day for now, but would see the team physician and potentially get some imaging tests to determine the severity of the injury. Assuming Abrams avoids a trip to the injured list, he might be able to DH sooner than he could return to the field, Butera said.
“I would think so, but today he’s not able to do anything,” Butera said.
Abrams is slashing .279/.354/.530 in 124 games this season, with career highs in homers (29) and RBIs (91).