Cubs to option Russell to Triple-A when eligible to return

SEATTLE (AP) — The Chicago Cubs will option shortstop Addison Russell to Triple-A Iowa when he’s eligible to return from his 40-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy later this week.

Cubs manager Joe Maddon said the team wants to give Russell more time in the minors before rejoining the major league roster. Maddon said Tuesday before Chicago opened a two-game series in Seattle that he didn’t expect Russell to be in the minors for long.

Russell was suspended last fall after a series of allegations made by his ex-wife. Without getting into specifics, Russell said in February that he was accountable for his past actions and apologized for “the hurt and the pain” he caused.

Russell had been working out in Arizona, playing in extended spring training games and meeting with a counselor twice a week before joining Iowa last week to begin getting ready for the season.