CJ Abrams’ move to second base has already been a talking point for the Nationals, and now the bag itself has added a fresh layer to the problem.
Abrams sprained his left ankle Wednesday night while stepping on second base as he stretched a ninth-inning double in Washington’s 6-0 win over the Rangers. He stayed in the game and finished it, but the injury cost him a spot in Thursday’s rubber game at Globe Life Field.
Manager Blake Butera said the play remained safe after an unsuccessful Rangers challenge, and the injury worsened after the game.
“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 is day to day for now, though he’ll be examined by the team physician and could undergo imaging to gauge the damage. If Abrams avoids the injured list, a designated hitter return could come before he’s ready to get back on the field.
“I would think so, but today he’s not able to do anything,” Butera said.
The ankle issue comes on top of a separate storyline that has been hanging over Abrams for nearly a week: the Nationals’ announced plan to move him from shortstop to second base, a change that has not yet been put into action. Abrams has said he sees himself as a shortstop long term and has taken the switch day by day. He still hasn’t appeared at second base in a game.
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