Nationals’ CJ Abrams gets encouraging injury update on ankle problem

Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams received a positive update on his injured left ankle Thursday.

The 25-year-old suffered a sprained left ankle in the ninth inning of Washington’s 6-0 win over the Texas Rangers on Wednesday. He awkwardly went into second base while hitting a double, leading the Nationals to leave him out of Thursday’s lineup. Manager Blake Butera described Abrams as day to day.

After Thursday’s 2-0 loss to the Rangers, Butera offered an encouraging update on Abrams, revealing that X-rays on his left ankle came back negative, according to Mark Zuckerman of NatsJournal.com. He’s expected to sit again Friday, with a possible return Saturday against the Miami Marlins.

The two-time All-Star has been a central part of Washington’s offense this season. He owns career highs with a .279 batting average, 29 home runs and 91 RBIs. He also leads all major league shortstops with 19 errors.

Abrams’ absence was felt Thursday. Jacob deGrom struck out 10 Nationals hitters while allowing only one hit and one walk over six innings. Washington’s only hit came from Brady House in the second inning.

The Nationals entered the game without Abrams, and Jose Tena started at second base while hitting cleanup. Tena finished 0-for-3 with three strikeouts and a walk.

The update also comes as Abrams prepares for a position change. Butera recently announced that Abrams would move from shortstop to second base, which would be the first position change of his five-season major league career.

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