CJ Abrams Back in Nationals Lineup as DH After Four-Game Absence

CJ Abrams is back in the Washington Nationals lineup against the Rockies, per Mark Zuckerman — but the shortstop is listed at DH rather than his usual position in the field, a detail that does most of the talking about where his ankle recovery actually stands.

Abrams missed four games with a sprained ankle, an injury that first surfaced after an awkward slide into second base. His return to the lineup is a step forward; his placement at DH is a quiet acknowledgment that the ankle isn't all the way back. Whether he returns to shortstop in the coming days remains unresolved, per the report.

The broader picture

The Nationals have been described as severely undermanned recently, so getting Abrams into the lineup in any capacity matters for a club already navigating roster depth. Washington is also working Josiah Gray back through a rehab assignment — he reportedly threw two scoreless innings in a Single-A outing — while the organization recently claimed knuckleballer Matt Waldron off waivers from the Blue Jays, adding a layer of bullpen texture to an already eventful stretch.

Tonight's matchup sends Nationals RHP Cavalli against Rockies RHP Feltner, with first pitch at 6:45 on Nationals TV and 106.7 FM. What to watch: whether Abrams shows any limitations at the plate, and when — or whether — the club feels comfortable putting him back in the field.