The Cubs will need their shortstop surplus for the National League championship series.
Manager Joe Maddon said Addison Russell is definitely out for the next round of this playoff run with a strained left hamstring. The hope is the rookie shortstop might be available if the Cubs advance to the World Series.
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The Cubs gathered for a workout at Wrigley Field on Thursday afternoon not knowing if they will have to fly to New York or Los Angeles for Saturday's Game 1.
Whether it's the Mets and their young arms or a Dodgers rotation headlined by Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke, the Cubs plan to install Javier Baez at shortstop and leave Starlin Castro at second base.