Cubs manager Joe Maddon said Wednesday he finally read Melisa Reidy-Russell's account describing alleged physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her ex-husband, Cubs shortstop Addison Russell, but will wait for the results of Major League Baseball's investigation before drawing conclusions.
"Domestic violence is horrible. It absolutely is," Maddon said before Wednesday's game at Wrigley Field against the Pirates after revealing he has read Reidy-Russell's blog, which was posted last Thursday. "By reading that, you feel her pain, absolutely.
"But at the end of the day, there's nothing really that I'm able to do. This is in the hands of Major League Baseball and the (MLB Players Association), period."
Russell, who has maintained his innocence, is on paid administrative leave while MLB investigates.
"It's horrible to think what this lady has gone through, absolutely," Maddon said. "But I don't know enough about the other side."
Maddon said he would wait until results of the investigation are revealed, "and then we all can draw conclusions at that point."
Maddon said he received a text message Tuesday from Russell, encouraging the team to play well.
