Released by the Brewers at the end of spring training, left-hander James Russell has signed a minor-league deal with the Cubs.
Russell pitched for the Cubs from 2010 until the middle of last season, when he was traded to the Braves. He has a 3.74 ERA in 219 career innings, but it comes with mediocre strikeout and walk rates.
He’ll head to Triple-A for now and has a good chance of rejoining the Cubs’ bullpen at some point this season in a middle relief role.