The Washington Nationals are shifting All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams to second base, manager Blake Butera announced Friday, according to Mark Zuckerman of Nats Journal.
Nasim Nuñez, who's been one of the best defensive second basemen in MLB this year, will slide over to shortstop as part of the switch. Nuñez has significant experience at both middle infield positions.
Abrams agreed to the move after discussions with the team over the last week, according to Zuckerman.
"Just thought this was the best thing for our team going forward," Butera said, according to Jerry Beach of The Associated Press. "We think with those two up the middle and Nasim playing more shortstop, (it) gives us the best chance."
The skipper acknowledged that the organization's high-profile shortstop prospects, including 2025 first overall pick Eli Willits, factored into the decision, per Zuckerman.
Abrams will ease into his new position over the final six weeks of the season. He'll still make one or two starts a week at shortstop - including Friday night against the New York Mets - while getting his feet wet at second with an eye toward making the move permanent in 2027.
Abrams played 13 games at the keystone as a rookie in 2022, but he's exclusively played shortstop since.
"It's not too big of a change," Abrams said, per Beach.
CJ Abrams just did a media scrum. He was asked if he views himself as a shortstop: “I do,” he said.
— Kyle W (@K_Williamsmedia) August 14, 2026
He said it’s because the position he’s played his entire life, and that he likes being the captain of the infield.
The switch may help him become a more well-rounded player long term, as he's arguably been the worst defensive shortstop in baseball for much of his career. Abrams ranks in the first percentile of outs above average (OAA) this season, while his 19 errors are the most among all players regardless of position. His minus-63 OAA since 2023 is the worst mark among qualified shortstops over that span.
Abrams' bat has propelled him to success with the Nationals, who acquired him from the San Diego Padres as part of the return for Juan Soto at the 2022 trade deadline. The former sixth overall pick is hitting a career-best .284/.357/.541 with 29 homers and an MLB-best 91 RBIs to go along with 23 steals over 119 games this season. He was selected by fans as the NL's starting shortstop at this year's All-Star Game.
Abrams is scheduled to reach free agency after the 2028 season.
