Abrams, Young out of lineup again, but no IL moves yet

CJ Abrams and Jacob Young are once again out of the Nationals lineup, leaving the team shorthanded once again with two regulars dealing with injuries.

Abrams, who jammed his left shoulder making a diving play at shortstop Friday night, is sitting for the third straight day. Young, who took a pitch off his right hand Saturday afternoon, is sitting for the second straight day.

Davey Martinez said Abrams has reported improvement in his shoulder each day, but it does continue to bother him when he swings.

“CJ said he felt better today than he did yesterday, so it is getting better,” the manager said. “I figured just give him another day, and hopefully if we need him (off the bench), he’s available.”

Young tried to hit in the cage today and reported his hand remains sore, so the Nationals decided not to push it and gave him his second straight day off.

There has been no discussion of a trip to the injured list for either player, but Abrams is now at a point where a potential decision would need to be made because the club is only permitted to backdate an IL move three days. Young would reach that point Tuesday, if he’s still unable to play.

“I’ve always said going on three days missing games, I am a little concerned about both, because you’re at a point where you’re playing short if they can’t play,” Martinez said. “If this continues, it would be something we need to talk about.”

For tonight’s game, the Nats bench consists of Abrams and Young, plus Joey Meneses and Rule 5 draft pick Nasim Nuñez, who rarely plays. Ildemaro Vargas makes his third straight start at shortstop in Abrams’ place, with Lane Thomas shifting from right field to center field again in Young’s stead.

The Nationals have been getting positive contributions from both players. Vargas went 2-for-4 with an RBI and a stolen base during Sunday’s win in Cleveland. Thomas (who has also taken over the leadoff spot usually occupied by Abrams) has reached base in three of his last seven plate appearances with an RBI single and sacrifice fly.

Thomas has looked more comfortable in center field, a position he used to play but hasn’t played regularly since 2022. Eddie Rosario, who actually started in center field on Opening Day, has been used in right field these last two days.

“I definitely like Rosario at the corners,” Martinez said. “And I talked to Lane even before this and said you’ve got to be ready in case we have to make an in-game change, and he was all for it.”

* Cade Cavalli made an appearance at Nationals Park today, the right-hander catching up with coaches and teammates in between rehab starts.

Cavalli, who threw 2 2/3 hitless innings Thursday for Single-A Wilmington, is scheduled to make his next start this week, building up beyond his most recent pitch count of 54.

* Josiah Gray will throw to live hitters Tuesday for the third time in recent weeks, building up to three simulated innings and 50 pitches. This should be the right-hander’s final such session, after which he’ll be cleared to start pitching in minor league games.

“If everything goes well, yeah,” Martinez said. “I’d love to send him out on a rehab assignment.”