Major League Baseball officials are following up on domestic abuse allegations against Cubs shortstop Addison Russell.
"We're looking into it," Patrick Courtney, MLB vice president, told the Tribune Thursday morning.
MLB has spoken with the Cubs about the allegation, he said.
The Cubs reached out to the league Thursday morning after domestic-violence allegations were made against Russell via social media Wednesday night by a woman who claimed to be a friend of Russell and his wife, Melisa, a source said.
The Cubs acted in accordance with the league's policy on domestic violence. Team officials were meeting Thursday to determine the best way to address the situation, a source said.
The Cubs host the Rockies Thursday night at Wrigley Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m.
Manager Joe Maddon is expected to hold his regular press conference before the game, and Cubs players will be available to the media.
"It's unfortunate," Kris Bryant told WSCR-AM 670, adding he didn't know the details of the allegations.
"Obviously it's a touchy subject and it's never acceptable, but that's something Addison is going to have to handle and I'm sure it will be talked about here soon," Bryant said.
Bryant said he didn't know much about Russell's life outside the ballpark.
"I don't want to know anything about my teammates' personal lives," he said. "It's just something I don't like to get into ... I don't want to get involved in any drama or any of that. I try to be the most boring person I can when I'm off the field with my wife."
Baseball adopted its domestic violence policy in August 2015. Any accused player can be put on paid administrative leave for up to one week while the allegations are investigated, and the player can challenge that decision through an arbitration panel.
The commissioner decides the disciplinary measures, and there is no minimum or maximum penalty. Four players have been suspended thus far, including former Cubs closer Aroldis Chapman, who was the first player to be penalized under the policy during his first stint with the Yankees.
Chapman was suspended for 30 days at the start of the 2016 season for allegedly choking his girlfriend. He was not charged with a crime. The other three players were Braves outfielder Hector Olivera (82 games), Mets infielder Jose Reyes (52 games) and Mets reliever Jeurys Familia (15 games). All three were charged with crimes.
MLB also is currently investigating an allegation against Rays catcher Derek Norris, whose former fiancee claimed he "physically and emotionally abused her." Norris' agent issued a statement from Norris to the Tampa Bay Times saying: "I have NEVER been physically or emotionally abusive towards her, or anyone else in my life."
The Rays issued a statement saying they supported MLB's domestic violence policy and would cooperate with the commissioner's office.
