Report: Cubs to option Addison Russell to Triple-A - MLB

The Athletic’s Sahadev Sharma reports that the Cubs plan to option shortstop Addison Russell to Triple-A Iowa on Thursday. He is expected to remain at Triple-A for a few weeks.

Russell, 25, is serving out the remainder of a 40-game suspension handed down near the end of last season via Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy. His ex-wife, Melisa Reidy, accused Russell of domestic violence, which she detailed in a blog post published last September. Russell is eligible to return to the major league roster on Friday.

Javier Báez has been handling shortstop while Russell has been absent. Daniel Descalso has taken the lion’s share of starts at second base, with Ben Zobrist and David Bote getting occasional starts there as well. When Russell returns, Báez will likely slide back to second base.

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LOS ANGELES — Giancarlo Stanton, Josh Donaldson, and Tommy Kahnle were activated by the New York Yankees ahead of their weekend series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

New York cleared three roster spots after a 1-0 loss at Seattle, optioning infielder-outfielders Oswaldo Cabrera and Franchy Cordero to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre along with left-hander Matt Krook.

Stanton, Donaldson and Kahnle all played in a rehab game for Double-A Somerset. Stanton was hitless in three at-bats in his first appearance since injuring his left hamstring on April 15.

Donaldson went 1 for 4 in his fourth rehab game as he comes back from a strained right hamstring originally sustained on April 5.

Kahnle pitched one inning, giving up one run and one hit and walking two. He has been out since spring training with right biceps tendinitis.

Aaron Boone said he wasn’t concerned about Stanton returning after playing in just one rehab game. He did say that Stanton likely will be a designated hitter for a couple of weeks after rejoining the Yankees.

New York is missing centerfielder Harrison Bader, who strained his right hamstring against the Mariners and went on the injured list the next day.

Left-hander Carlos Rodón, sidelined since spring training by a sore left forearm and an ailing back, was transferred to the 60-day injured list.