Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams was a late scratch for Tuesday’s game against the Philadelphia Phillies due to left side tightness.

Nasim Nuñez moved over to shortstop and Jorbit Vivas took over at second base for the second game of a crucial four-game set against an NL East foe.

After the Nationals’ 14-9 loss, manager Blake Butera said Abrams felt tightness while throwing before the game. He wanted to play, but the team felt it was best to give him time to rest. He is day to day.

Abrams, a one-time All-Star, has been relatively healthy this season, appearing at shortstop in 77 games while being a fixture in Washington’s formidable lineup. It was only Abrams’ third missed game of the season.

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The 25-year-old is batting .286 with an .896 on-base-plus-slugging percentage and is on pace for 35 homers, which would be a career high. His superb performance at the plate has him in contention for a second All-Star appearance for the National League.

Abrams’ production atop Washington’s batting order, along with outfielder James Wood, has helped propel the Nationals to one of the best offenses in Major League Baseball.

The team began Tuesday leading the league in runs scored (420) and was tied for fourth in OPS (.744).

That has helped the Nationals go from a preseason afterthought to one of the most surprising playoff contenders in baseball.

Washington is still firmly in the playoff hunt even after Tuesday’s dispiriting late-inning implosion. The team sits one game behind the Chicago Cubs for the third National League wild-card spot.