Oct. 18--Chicago Cubs rookie shortstop Addison Russell is feeling the anguish of not playing in the National League Championship Series.
"I want to do what's best for the team," said Russell, who wasn't placed on the Cubs' NLCS roster because of a moderate strain of his left hamstring. "And right now, it's a little edgy. It's a tough subject to talk about, especially when you grind out this whole year in hopes of being in this situation and then at the last minute, it just happens."
Russell suffered the injury while running out a triple Monday against the St. Louis Cardinals and initially thought he would be ready for the NLCS. But the Cubs took him off the roster because they didn't feel he would be healthy enough for this best-of-seven series and thought rehabilitation would be best in hopes of him returning should the Cubs reach the World Series.
"There's really not much you can do about it," Russell said. "Stay positive and hopefully we can pull this out, and I'll be able to get a start soon. Right now, it's day to day. Treatment is going well, and we're looking on the bright side of things."
