CJ Abrams Left Ankle Update: X-Rays Negative, Out Again Friday

X-rays on CJ Abrams' left ankle came back negative, but that's about where the good news stops for now. Per Mark Zuckerman, Abrams was unable to participate in any baseball activity, and Nationals manager Blake Butera indicated he will probably have to sit out again — with Butera expressing hope that Abrams could be back playing Saturday.

The uncertainty is worth noting: Butera's framing was explicitly tentative, and Saturday is a hope rather than anything more than that.

What we know

The negative imaging rules out a fracture, but the inability to do any baseball activity suggests the ankle is still limiting enough to keep Abrams off the field in the short term. Per the report, Butera used the word "hopefully" in connection with a Saturday return — which is the kind of qualifier that tends to age in unpredictable ways.

What we don't know yet

There is no designation change reported, no timetable beyond the Saturday hope, and no detail on what baseball activity Abrams would need to complete before being cleared. Whether he returns Saturday or the timeline slips further remains unresolved.

The ankle issue traces back to an awkward slide into second base, per earlier reporting from Zuckerman, with Abrams listed as day-to-day in the aftermath. Washington will need to manage the position in the interim.