Addison Russell recalled, rejoins Cubs after suspension

The Associated Press

6 years ago

FILE - In this April 24, 2019, file photo, Iowa Cubs shortstop Addison Russell walks in the dug ... — FILE – In this April 24, 2019, file photo, Iowa Cubs shortstop Addison Russell walks in the dugout before a Triple-A baseball game against the Nashville Sounds, in Des Moines, Iowa. While Russell waits for another chance, Joyce Coffee is working on a line that never ends. Coffee is the executive director of Family Rescue, an organization that fights domestic violence by supporting victims and advocating for change. She helped provide training for the Cubs in the wake of Russell’s 40-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall, Fle)

Iowa Cubs shortstop Addison Russell scores a run during a Triple-A baseball game against the Nashville Sounds, Wednesday, April 24, 2019, in Des Moines, Iowa. Russell played in his first game of the season Wednesday for Iowa as he prepares to return to the Chicago Cubs following his domestic violence suspension. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

FILE – In this Friday, Feb. 15, 2019, file photo, Chicago Cubs shortstop Addison Russell speaks at a news conference after a spring training baseball workout in Mesa, Ariz. Russell is joining Triple-A Iowa to prepare for his return from a 40-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy. Russell is expected to play when Iowa begins a nine-game homestand Wednesday, April 24 against Nashville. (AP Photo/Morry Gash, File)

Iowa Cubs shortstop Addison Russell runs to first base during a Triple-A baseball game against the Nashville Sounds, Wednesday, April 24, 2019, in Des Moines, Iowa. Russell played in his first game of the season Wednesday for Iowa as he prepares to return to the Chicago Cubs following his domestic violence suspension. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

CHICAGO — Shortstop Addison Russell is rejoining the Chicago Cubs after completing a 40-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy and spending extra time in the minors to get ready.

The Cubs recalled Russell from Triple-A Iowa and he was set to start at second base Wednesday night and bat eighth against Miami. Russell was eligible to rejoin the team May 3 against St. Louis at Wrigley Field, but the organization opted to give him more time with the minor league club.

Here is tonight's #Cubs starting lineup.

Game preview: https://t.co/WRb0eq8E5w pic.twitter.com/wiHBRCEhLq

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) May 8, 2019

The 25-year-old Russell was suspended last fall after a series of allegations made by ex-wife Melisa Reidy. Without getting into specifics, he said in February that he was accountable for his past actions and apologized for “the hurt and the pain” he caused. Russell was working out in Arizona, playing in extended spring training games and meeting with a counselor twice a week before joining Iowa in late April. He batted .222 (10 for 45) with two doubles, three home runs and 13 RBIs in 12 games for Iowa this season.

Russell hasn’t played for the Cubs since Sept. 19. The suspension covered the final 12 games in 2018 and the first 28 this year.

Russell was once considered one of baseball’s top young infielders. He helped the Cubs win the World Series three years ago, batting .238 with 21 homers and 95 RBIs in 151 games as the team snapped a 108-year championship drought. The Cubs faced criticism for retaining Russell after his suspension.

Javier Baez moved from second base to shortstop following Russell’s suspension and finished second in the NL MVP race last season. He has been the Cubs’ starting shortstop this year.

MLB began an investigation in 2017 after allegations against Russell first became public.

Reidy posted a photo on her Instagram account two years ago with a caption suggesting her husband of about 18 months had been unfaithful to her. In another post, a user described by Reidy as a close friend claimed Russell had “hit” his wife. The post was later deleted. Reidy declined to talk to MLB at the time because she decided it was not in her family’s best interests, her attorney, Thomas Field, said last year. But MLB kept the case open.

Reidy published a blog post last September describing more detailed allegations, including years of physical and emotional abuse. Less than 12 hours later, MLB announced Russell had been put on leave under its domestic violence policy. And he accepted the suspension on Oct. 3.

Notes

The Cubs activated left-handed pitcher Mike Montgomery off of the 10-day injured list and put right-handed reliever Pedro Strop on the 10-day injured list (retroactive to May 7) with a left hamstring strain. The Cubs also placed Ben Zobrist on leave for undisclosed personal reasons.