Cubs News: Addison Russell receives suspension, won't appeal

by Tony Crumpton - Senior Editor - Oct 3, 2018, 4:27 PM

Cubs shortstop Addison Russell had been placed on administrative leave by major league baseball while they investigated allegations by his ex-wife Melisa Reidy-Russell in a recent blog post.

The latest on Wednesday is that Russell has been suspended 40-games without pay, retroactive to September 21 for violating Major League Baseball's Joint Domestic Violence Policy. He will be available to play around May 1 next season.

Russell and his agent have decided not to appeal the suspension.

This more than likely will end his time with the Cubs.

In 2018, he hit .250 with five homers and 38 RBIs in 130 games.

The young shortstop has publicly denied the abuse allegations.

"These allegations are completely false," he said in a statement. "I made that clear to Major League Baseball last year and reiterated it to the Cubs today. I'm confident any full and fair investigation will fully exonerate me. The protection of my children is foremost in my mind, so I will have no further comment."

Every player placed on admininistrative leave for a potential violation of baseball’s joint domestic-violence policy has accepted a suspension without pay. Like the others, #Cubs’ Russell did not appeal.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 3, 2018