Abrams' Accountability: Nats' Star Steps Up

It's March 28th.

This is Washington Nationals News Today, AI-powered stories from Inside Your Team.

The Washington Nationals kicked off their season preaching accountability from day 1 in

spring training and their shortstop CJ Abrams put it on.

Full display right out the gate.

On opening day Thursday at Riggly Field, with bases loaded in a 6 run 4 thinning, the

25-year-old crushed a fly ball 300.

61 feet at 110.8 mph to right field.

It would have been a Homer in 28 of 30 ball-parks, but Wind and Riggly kept it in play.

Abrams took a split second to admire it, then bolted at elite speed 30.5 feet per second,

but got nailed at second on a laser relay.

A replay challenge confirmed the out, costing a big rally chance against the Cubs.

Manager Blake Boutera praised Abrams for marching straight to the dugout, owning the mistake

without anyone saying a word.

He admitted he should have hustled out the box quicker and vowed it wouldn't happen

again.

That self-check sets the tone for the Nats young core, stepping up as leaders.

President of baseball ops Paul Taboni highlighted how the coaching staff fosters this vibe.

No lectures needed for a smart competitive guy like Abrams.

The team sees this as pure accountability in action, especially from their rising stars.

Abrams finished the game Thursday, set out Friday's off day, and missed Saturday due

to a family death, but he set to return Sunday with the full.

Squad backing him as they build momentum early.