Nationals Manager Addresses Lack of Hustle by Star Shortstop

Blake Butera says CJ Abrams immediately owned up to his mistake after failing to run hard out of the box.

Mar. 28, 2026 at 5:50pm

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In the Washington Nationals' Opening Day win, star shortstop CJ Abrams failed to hustle out of the batter's box after hitting a ball down the right field line, resulting in him being thrown out at second base. Manager Blake Butera addressed the incident, saying Abrams immediately owned up to the mistake and that establishing the right culture of accountability will be important for the team going forward.

Why it matters

The Nationals are trying to build a new winning culture under Butera, and incidents like Abrams' lack of hustle could become problematic if not addressed properly, especially as the team faces adversity later in the season.

The details

In the top of the fourth inning, with the game tied 2-2, Abrams ripped a ball down the right field line with the bases loaded. Instead of immediately running hard out of the box, Abrams stood and posed, thinking he had hit a grand slam. While he ended up driving in two runs, he was thrown out trying to reach second base due to his lack of hustle. Butera said Abrams came right to the coaching staff and owned up to the mistake, acknowledging that it goes against the culture they are trying to build.

  • The incident occurred in the top of the fourth inning of the Nationals' Opening Day game on March 28, 2026.

The players

Blake Butera

The manager of the Washington Nationals, tasked with establishing a new winning culture for the team.

CJ Abrams

The star shortstop for the Washington Nationals who failed to hustle out of the batter's box on Opening Day.

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What they’re saying

“But he came in right away and just owned up to it and knew he made a mistake not getting out of the box quick and said 'that can't happen.' He wanted to fully own that mistake he made. He knows the culture we're trying to create here, the accountability piece.”

— Blake Butera, Manager, Washington Nationals

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the importance of establishing a strong culture of accountability early on for the Nationals, as they look to build a winning team. Butera's handling of the situation and Abrams' immediate ownership of his mistake suggest the team is on the right track, but maintaining that culture will be crucial as the season progresses.