Abrams, Soroka begin rehab assignment in Harrisburg

The Nationals can now start counting down the days until CJ Abrams returns to their lineup. But first, the All-Star shortstop needs to prove he’s good to go in a rehab assignment.

Abrams is playing tonight for Double-A Harrisburg, his first game action since aggravating his right hip flexor April 11 in Miami. He’s technically eligible to come off the 10-day injured list now, but the Nats wanted him to get some reps in the minor leagues before activating him.

“I’d like to get him on his feet, get him some at-bats and make sure he’s OK,” manager Davey Martinez said. “The last time he felt it was on the field, so we want to get him out there and let him play shortstop. And if it takes a day or two or three, then we’ll prepare for that. But hopefully he comes out today feeling good and not bothering him.”

Abrams is slated to play six innings at shortstop tonight and take at least three at-bats, with the possibility of more if he feels up for more. The Nationals would love to have him back in their lineup before the end of this week’s series against the Orioles, but they won’t rush it if he doesn’t look ready.

Nasim Nuñez has excelled in the field in Abrams’ place, to nobody’s surprise. But the 24-year-old infielder doesn’t provide nearly the offensive punch as the man ahead of him on the depth chart. In seven games since taking over as the everyday shortstop, Nunez is batting .182 (4-for-22) with three walks and two stolen bases.

“Nas has done great over there catching the ball, and he’s got some big hits for us, too,” Martinez said. “But we miss CJ in the lineup. He gives us length in our lineup.”

* Michael Soroka also begins a rehab assignment tonight in Harrisburg, the veteran right-hander making his first start since going on the 15-day IL with a biceps strain following his March 31 season debut.

Soroka, who threw 37 pitches in a simulated game last week in Pittsburgh, is scheduled to throw three or four innings and 50-to-55 pitches tonight. Even in a best-case scenario, it appears the Nationals will want him to make at least one more rehab start before coming off the IL.

“We’re going to go today and see how he feels,” Martinez said. “If everything goes well, he’ll be on that five-day rotation. I’d like to get him built up to 75-80 pitches before he comes back here.”

Soroka isn’t the only major leaguer making a rehab start for Harrisburg this week. Cade Cavalli is slated to take the mound for the Senators on Thursday as he continues to work his way back from 2023 Tommy John surgery.

Cavalli made his long-awaited rehab debut Saturday for Single-A Fredericksburg and proceeded to toss four scoreless innings on only 46 pitches. The right-hander’s 30-day rehab stint will expire in mid-May, but the Nationals could choose to option him to Triple-A Rochester at that point and continue to let him build his arm back up before he pitches in the majors.

* Paul DeJong is set to visit an eye specialist Thursday, at which point the Nationals will have a better idea just how serious his injury is.

DeJong was struck on the left side of his face and on his nose by a pitch last Tuesday in Pittsburgh. He was placed on the 10-day IL the following day with a fractured nose, but the club was still unsure about any further damage to his eye because of excessive swelling in the area.

Martinez said much of the swelling has gone down, which will allow the specialist to exam him this week. The manager also noted DeJong still has “a little bit of blurry vision,” but is hopeful that’s a product of the swelling and not a more serious condition.

* Neither Orlando Ribalta (right biceps strain) nor Derek Law (right forearm inflammation) has resumed throwing yet, but Martinez is hopeful both will be cleared by the end of the week.