According to a report from Jon Heyman that was confirmed by Patrick Mooney and Dan Vogelbach, the Cubs have called up INF Addison Russell.
Addison Russell will reportedly be in the starting lineup Tuesday night at second base.
Russell turned 21 in January and was off to a very good start with Iowa. Russell went 2-for-4 in the second game of a twin bill with Oklahoma City on Monday. Both hits were doubles and he recorded three hits in the two games Monday.
In 11 games for Iowa, Addison Russell was 14-for-44 with four doubles, one home run, one walk and seven strikeouts (.318/.326/.477) for a .803 OPS.
The Cubs 40-man roster currently stands at 40 players. The team will have to clear a spot for Russell on the 40-man and active roster.
The Cubs are expected to option Arismendy Alcantara to Triple-A Iowa to make room on the active roster for Russell.
Addison Russell improved his stock during Spring Training with the Cubs. Russell will play second base for now and based on comments from Theo Epstein and Jed Hoyer, Starlin Castro will remain at shortstop this season. Russell started playing second base last week for Iowa. Russell is seen as the Cubs shortstop of the future which could move Castro to third base and Kris Bryant to the outfield.
The Cubs starting infield on Tuesday night should be Anthony Rizzo (1B), Addison Russell (2B), Starlin Castro (SS) and Kris Bryant (3B).
The Cubs starting infield on Tuesday night will feature four players no older than 25 years old … Rizzo (25), Castro (25), Bryant (23) and Russell (21).
Signs were pointing to the Cubs calling up Russell earlier than expected. The Cubs started playing Russell at second base to fill a need at the big league level.
Joe Maddon addressed Russell playing second base for Iowa prior to Monday’s game with the beat writers. “We’re just trying to give him that opportunity to play there. Personally, I like guys like that playing a bunch of different spots in the minor leagues if you can. You never know where the need will be on the Major League level.”
Updated 11:53pm CDT: Since the initial reports, the Sun-Times, Tribune, ESPN Chicago, Bruce Levine and Carrie Muskat have all confirmed Addison Russell will make his Major League debut on Tuesday night in Pittsburgh.