Addison Russell was placed on administrative leave by MLB on this day last week, after allegations by his ex-wife that he’d engaged in verbal and physical abuse during their relationship. The leave, which is paid and does not cost service time, can last up to one week as MLB investigates and works toward a resolution under the league and Players Association’s joint domestic violence policy. If MLB needs more time, however, the leave can be extended for up to an additional week.
With that initial week expiring today, MLB has extended Russell’s leave through Sunday, the final day of the regular season.
MLB has extended Addison Russell’s administrative leave through Sunday, the final day of the regular season, a source tells The Athletic. As I reported yesterday, every previous case of a player going on AL resulted in the player agreeing to a suspension without appeal.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) September 27, 2018
Addison Russell's paid leave of absence has been extended through Sunday, the end of the regular season, a source confirmed. Russell was placed on leave last Friday as MLB investigated abuse claims from his ex-wife. That leave, normally for 7 days, can… https://t.co/nI61rHpvGq
— Jesse Rogers (@ESPNChiCubs) September 27, 2018
We discussed Rosenthal’s report yesterday, which, among other things, indicated that MLB has other credible information related to the abuse allegations beyond Melisa Reidy’s online account. For that reason, if it wasn’t already likely, a suspension is almost certainly forthcoming.
If the suspension is put in place by Sunday, it would keep Russell out of the postseason, and then probably on into next season. Whether he will still be with the Cubs at that time remains to be seen. Russell is arbitration-eligible next year for the second of four trips. It would surprise me if he is still with the Cubs next year, but they have not yet indicated in any way what they plan to do upon the resolution of MLB’s investigation/punishment.