CHICAGO (AP) — The Cubs offered suspended shortstop Addison Russell a 2019 contract while maintaining Friday his future with the team is not certain.
Russell is serving a 40-game domestic violence suspension following allegations by his ex-wife.
President of president of baseball operations Theo Epstein called the decision a “procedural step” and said it “does not represent the finish line nor rubber-stamp his future” with them.
“It does however reflect our support for him as long as he continues to make progress and demonstrates his commitment to these important issues,” Epstein added.
Teams had a deadline Friday to offer contracts to unsigned players on their 40-man rosters. Chicago failed to offer deals to infielder Ronald Torreyes, obtained from the Yankees this week, and also cut loose pitchers Justin Hancock and Allen Webster.
Russell accepted a 40-game suspension last October for violating Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy. The decision followed allegations made by his ex-wife Melisa Reidy.
Though Russell has denied the allegations, he apologized to Reidy and his family for “my past behavior.”
Russell had a $3.2 million salary last season.
His unpaid suspension includes the 11 regular-season games he missed after being placed on administrative leave Sept. 21.
Russell will be eligible to return on May 3 against St. Louis, barring any postponements.
“Since accepting my suspension, I’ve had time to reflect on my past behavior and think about the next steps I need to take to grow as a person,” Russell said in a statement issued by the Cubs.
Russell said he will meet regularly with experts and counselors mandated by his treatment plan. He said he also plans to keep working with his own therapist, whom he has been seeing several times a week the past two months.