April 21--PITTSBURGH -- Addison Russell moved from shortstop to second base on Thursday, and he could stay there longer than originally anticipated.
With Javier Baez away from Triple-A Iowa for nearly two weeks while on bereavement leave, Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon believes it wouldn't be a bad idea if Baez reports to extended spring training before rejoining his Iowa teammates.
Baez, 22, hasn't played a game for Iowa since leaving April 9 to attend to his family following the passing of his 21-year-old sister in Florida. Maddon said he hasn't spoken with any team officials regarding Baez, but Iowa manager Marty Pevey was somewhat more forthcoming.
Pevey, who also hasn't spoken to Baez, seemed very receptive to the idea of Baez reporting to Arizona once he ends his bereavement leave.
I would say that he probably would, but I don't know that for a fact," Pevey told the Des Moines Register.
Maddon, who adores versatility, acknowledged it's a possibility but not a "lock" that Russell will move from shortstop to second base on a permanent basis.
"It's a matter of expanding his infield horizons," Maddon said. "Right now, Starlin (Castro) is playing a great shortstop. He's playing very well -- offensively, defensively -- everything he's doing is high caliber right now. So I think you need to keep a young player you think. His bat may be ready to play, but you got to give him a position to play."
Russell is batting .318 with nine RBIs in 11 games for Iowa.
