CHICAGO (AP) — All-Star shortstop CJ Abrams was demoted to the minor leagues by the Washington Nationals on Saturday for a reason not related to his on-field performance and is not expected to play for them the rest of the season. Nationals manager Dave Martinez announced the unusual decision before Saturday's game against the Chicago Cubs. “I just want it to be known, it wasn't performance-based — it's an internal issue,” Martinez said.