WASHINGTON -- As starting pitcher Josiah Gray warmed up on the mound to catcher Keibert Ruiz, C.J. Abrams ran onto the field at shortstop for his Nationals debut. It was a trio of young talent -- all of whom were acquired at the last two Trade Deadlines -- and a visualization of Washington’s future.

“This is what we talked about moving forward, right, is some of our youth, and now we’re getting to see some of that here,” manager Dave Martinez said prior to the Nats' 5-4 win over the Cubs on Monday night at Nationals Park. “That definitely excites me a lot. Watching these guys all play together and grow together, it’s going to be a lot of fun.

“It’s going to be some work -- a lot of work -- but it’s going to be fun.”

Two weeks after the Nats acquired Abrams in the blockbuster trade with the Padres, they called up the 21-year-old from Triple-A on Monday when Luis García landed on the 10-day injured list with a left groin strain. Abrams already made his Major League debut on April 8 and played 46 games for San Diego in place of an injured Fernando Tatis Jr., but the Nationals wanted him to get acclimated to the club first.

“It’s a new team, it’s a new start, it’s a great opportunity, and I’m excited to get going,” Abrams said.

The long-term plan is for Abrams to be the everyday starting shortstop, with 22-year-old García shifting over to second base -- where he played the past two seasons in the bigs -- when he returns. Veteran starter César Hernández would then transition to a backup role, having experience at multiple infield positions.

To begin building that early middle-infield chemistry, Abrams’ and García’s lockers are next to each other in the Nationals’ clubhouse.

“They’re two of our youngest players, so we definitely want them to be together as much as possible and get to know each other,” Martinez said, adding, “I think these two guys could really help us in the future. With that being said, time will tell, right? Both of those guys have got the ability to be really good and All-Stars one day. But only time will tell.”

Abrams arrived in Washington on Sunday night with a resume stacked with big league potential. Before becoming the sixth overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, he won a gold medal with the USA national team in the 2018 U18 Pan American Championship (where he was named to the All-Tournament Team) and was recognized as the 2019 Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year. Following two seasons in the Minor Leagues, the shortstop entered 2022 ranked as San Diego’s top prospect and No. 9 overall by MLB Pipeline.

“I try to learn in everything I do,” Abrams said. “Everyday, [I’ve] got to get better. Everybody’s good at this level, so you’ve got to strive to be the best.”

Abrams hit .232 with two home runs for the Padres. On Monday, he went 0-for-4 batting in the seventh spot. Martinez plans to move him higher up in the order once he appears in more games. Nelson Cruz, who hit the go-ahead home run in the eighth inning, observed Abrams’ swing “has some pop.”

In the field, Abrams was immersed in the action from start to finish, literally. He recorded the first and final outs of the game, impressed Martinez with his angles and range, committed a throwing error (“I probably should have set my feet,” he noted) and showed early signs of what he could add to the defense.

“It’s really about keeping the pitch count down,” Martinez said. “If he can make the routine plays, catch balls like that, get us out of big innings, it’s definitely going to help our pitchers out a lot.”

One year after their first Trade Deadline overhaul and two weeks after shaking up the roster by sending face-of-the-franchise Juan Soto to the Padres, the Nationals’ future became closer to the present. 

“It’s super exciting,” said Gray, who recorded 10 strikeouts in six innings. “I think for me personally, it gives me a little extra edge to go out there and sort of dream on the future: these are the guys that can be your teammates for years to come.”