Addison Russell sent to 10-day DL, Murphy takes his spot

Addison Russell sent to 10-day DL, Murphy takes his spot


by -

DETROIT – The Chicago Cubs today added infielder Daniel Murphy to the 25-man roster and placed infielder Addison Russell on the 10-day disabled list (retroactive to August 20) with a sprained left middle finger.

Murphy, who will wear uniform number three, will start at second base and bat leadoff tonight for the Cubs as they conclude their two-game series against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.

The 33-year-old Murphy was acquired from Washington yesterday for minor league infielder Andruw Monasterio and a cash consideration or player to be named. Murphy is batting .300 (57-for-190) with nine doubles, six home runs and 29 RBI in 56 games for the Nationals this season, as he missed more than two months to start the year due to right knee surgery. He returned on June 12 and is batting .340 (35-for-103) with a .904 OPS since the All-Star Break.

Overall, Murphy is hitting .317 (45-for-142) with a .359 on-base percentage and a .479 slugging percentage vs. right-handed pitching this season, good for an .838 OPS. Murphy has played 38 games (36 starts) at second base and 14 games (10 starts) at first base this year.

The left-handed batter is a career .299 hitter (1,380-for-4,609) in 10 major league seasons with the New York Mets (2008-09, 2011-15) and Washington Nationals (2016-18). Murphy has 327 doubles, 116 home runs and 628 RBI in 1,245 major league games while turning in a .345 on-base percentage and .458 slugging percentage, good for an .803 OPS.

A three-time All-Star, Murphy has participated in post-season play in each of the last three seasons, batting .323 (30-for-93) with three doubles, eight home runs and 19 RBI in 24 playoff games, posting a 1.020 OPS thanks to a .407 on-base percentage and a .603 slugging percentage.

Russell, 24, is batting .259 (99-for-382) with five home runs and 37 RBI in 112 games this season. According to Baseball-Reference, he ranks sixth among all National League players with a 1.8 defensive WAR this year.

Comment on this story
Print   
Post your comments!