The Washington Nationals are entering the final stretch of the 2024 season without their All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams, who was demoted to the minors following an internal team issue. General Manager Mike Rizzo confirmed the decision was not performance-related but focused on the player's welfare and the team's standards.

With Abrams gone, rookie Nasim Nuñez will step in as the new shortstop. The Nationals, currently with a 69-88 record, are facing their fifth consecutive season with a losing record since their 2019 World Series victory.