Epstein on Addison Russell's future with Cubs |
Cubs shortstop
Addison Russell has been added to the Iowa Cubs for an MLB rehab assignment. He will spend the next week there before reporting back to Chicago on May 3.
Russell was 1-for-4 with a walk, stolen base, and two runs scored in his first game back from his suspension on Wednesday. Cubs President of Operations Theo Epstein was on the Bernstein & McKnight Show on Thursday morning and had the following update on the team's plans with Russell. "Everyone on the roster and how all the pieces fit together creates a picture for us that we have to keep in mind when we're doing any contemplation of future roster moves," Epstein said. "I've seen this storyline develop; I don't think anyone should make any assumption. I don't think anyone should get ahead of the story, because we're not. When it comes to Addison Russell -- I know this is a cliche -- but we're quite literally taking this one day at a time." Epstein wants to keep a close eye on everything and watch Russell daily. "Up to this point, he has done a good job in terms of being compliant, putting the work in and living up to the standards we put out for him. Because of that, he has gotten through spring training, he has gotten through his work in extended spring training, and he's one game into a seven-day minor-league assignment that comes at the end of the suspension. But we are not looking too far in the future. We're looking one day at a time." How will the Cubs handle Addison Russell's return to the team and what does it mean for Javier Baez? @C1McKnight asked Theo Epstein this morning on @Bernstein_McK. Epstein knows that some players aren't able to get ready in only a week of action. "He needs to continue to put the work in off the field, and now that he's back on a minor-league assignment he needs to put significant work in on the field to be major-league ready. That may be in seven days. But baseball will also tell you a lot of guys would need more than seven days to be ready." Theo acknowledged that a minor league option is a possibility for Russell but stressed this is a one day-at-a-time matter. Maddon said that no decisions have been made just yet, but they've started to discuss how to handle Addison Russell's potential return. They will have him play some second in Iowa and will consider many factors when deciding where he plays upon his return. Joe Maddon said Addison Russell will take reps at second base in preparing for his big league return More Epstein talking about Russell: Theo pregame on Russell pic.twitter.com/aJI1lRbMmD Maddon said that no decisions have been made just yet, but they've started to discuss how to handle Addison Russell's potential return. They will have him play some second in Iowa and will consider many factors when deciding where he plays upon his return.
Podcasts: https://t.co/GU2JBw8iz6 pic.twitter.com/kv8xzBgrmL
