Abrams sits with tight thigh, DeJong starts at shortstop, Law's return delayed

CJ Abrams has his first day off of the young season, not because of a bad matchup or a planned respite, but because of a tight thigh muscle.

Nationals manager Davey Martinez said the shortstop felt his right thigh tighten up while making the final play of Sunday’s 5-4 win over the Diamondbacks. Abrams charged in to field Randal Grichuk’s broken-bat grounder in the top of the ninth, then threw on the run to first, nearly pulling Nathaniel Lowe off the bag.

“He feels a little bit better today,” Martinez said. “I just wanted to give him a day, to make sure this doesn’t become a big issue.”

Asked what level of concern he has about Abrams, Martinez replied: “Right now, none. Hopefully it could’ve just been a cramp. But I want to make sure that’s just what it is.”

Abrams not only had started all nine previous games this season, but had played every inning to date. Martinez’s choice of replacement may come as a bit of a surprise: Paul DeJong.

DeJong has become the Nationals’ everyday third baseman, solidifying his place in the lineup primarily because of his smooth defense at the hot corner. The thought all along was that DeJong, a shortstop throughout his career until late last season with the Royals, would stay at third base, with either Amed Rosario or José Tena backing up Abrams at shortstop.

Martinez, though, cited DeJong’s long history and track record as a big league shortstop as reason for his sliding over to play the position tonight.

“Paul played there 85 times last year, and did really well,” the manager said. “He’s going to play shortstop today.”

DeJong appeared in only one game this spring at shortstop, late in camp, just to make sure he remained comfortable there. He regularly takes ground balls at both positions, though, and is eager today to get the start at his former stomping grounds.

“Once I get there, I feel disengaged with the process, and it’s almost like second nature as far as cutoffs and all that stuff, moving around,” he said. “I’m excited, and I’m glad I get the opportunity to play shortstop today.”

* Derek Law has yet to resume throwing off a mound, suggesting the reliever’s stint on the injured list could last longer than initially hoped.

Law was placed on the 15-day IL, retroactive to March 24, with inflammation in his forearm after being brought along slowly this spring following his 90-inning season in 2024. The veteran right-hander believed he just needed more time to get his arm ready, and that he’d likely be good to come off the IL when eligible.

That eligibility date, though, arrives Tuesday, and Law clearly isn’t ready yet.

“I’m a little worried, but everything I’m hearing is that he is getting better, he’s getting stronger,” Martinez said. “He has his days where he feels really good. And then he has days now where he juts feels OK. Before, he felt good. Now, it’s just OK. So we’re going to keep building up his strength and see where he’s at.”

* DJ Herz is scheduled to visit another doctor April 15 as the left-hander and the club wait to find out whether he’ll need season-ending surgery for a sprained elbow ligament.

Herz, who reported elbow soreness after he was optioned to Triple-A Rochester during the final week of spring training, learned shortly after that he has a sprained ulnar collateral ligament. He was set to seek a second opinion from Dallas orthopedist Keith Meister last week. He may now be seeking a third opinion.

If doctors determine the ligament sprain is significant enough, Herz could need Tommy John surgery, an internal brace procedure or both, ending his 2025 season before it had a chance to begin. If doctors believe the sprain can heal with rest and rehab, Herz would have a chance at returning sometime this summer, hoping to avoid surgery altogether.