Suspended Addison Russell makes spring training debut

Addison Russell won’t be eligible to return from his suspension until May 1, but he can play in spring training games.

On Sunday, he took the field for his first Cactus League action of the year. Both of Russell’s completed plate appearances took place in an eight-run second inning.

He singled on his first trip and had a sacrifice fly in his second. In the fourth inning he came up to bat, but Charcer Burks was thrown out trying to advance on a ball in the dirt to end the inning. Russell was pulled from the game after that.

He talked to reporters after the game about getting back on the baseball field for game action.

"It felt great, to get the clay underneath my cleats," Russell said. "Being in the lineup, especially with guys that we won the World Series with. It was a great day. I had a lot of fun."

Russell also mentioned that he is aware he could potentially receive boos from fans as a result of his domestic abuse suspension. However, Sunday’s game went by without incident in that regard.

The Cubs beat the Giants 9-5 in a game that included David Bote getting hit in the helmet with a pitch.