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. “I’m not going to give specifics or talk about specifics because I need to keep these guys and everything on the down low. I’ve got other guys out there that I want to support. I’m going to support CJ. He’s a big part of our Nats family, and he will be. At this point, for me, it’s the right thing to do.”

Abrams is hitting .246 with 20 homers, 65 RBIs and 31 stolen bases.

Martinez said Abrams will not play for the Red Wings and will fly to Washington and then travel to the team’s training complex at West Palm Beach, Florida.

Martinez said he spoke with Abrams for a significant time Friday and termed it an emotional conversation, during which the two wept together. Martinez repeatedly emphasized his support of Abrams, who turns 24 on Oct. 3.

Red Sox place Devers on IL

Boston placed third baseman Rafael Devers on the 10-day injured list with left shoulder inflammation.

Devers left Friday night’s 12-inning loss to the Minnesota Twins in the top of the 11th. The slugger went 1 for 4 with a walk and three strikeouts.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Devers tweaked his shoulder while working in the batting cage and tried to play through it. The third baseman was scheduled to undergo an MRI on both shoulders.

Devers is batting .272 with 28 homers and 83 RBIs in 138 games.

Schwarber extends homer record

Kyle Schwarber extended his major league record for leadoff homers, hitting his 15th of the season to start the Phillies’ game at the Mets on Saturday.

Schwarber drove an 0-1 sinker from Sean Manaea to the opposite field in left-center for his 36th home run this season.

Alfonso Soriano held previous record of 13 leadoff homers for the New York Yankees in 2003.

Schwarber has 46 career leadoff homers, including 33 since he joined the Phillies in 2022.

Rickey Henderson holds the career record with 81.

Scherzer’s season over with return to IL

Three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer was scratched from his scheduled start for the Rangers on Saturday night, then put on the 15-day injured list with a left hamstring strain that means his season is over.

Scherzer (2-4, 3.95 ERA) has made only one start for the Rangers since July 30. The 40-year-old right-hander was activated from the injured list last Saturday after missing 40 games with right shoulder fatigue and an arm nerve issue in his arm. He struck out six while allowing one run and four hits over four innings.

After offseason back surgery, Scherzer dealt with the nerve issue during his rehab and didn’t make his season debut until June 23. His nine starts this season are his fewest since seven as a rookie for Arizona in 2008.