CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs tendered contracts for the 2020 season to six arbitration-eligible players but non-tendered infielder
Russell, 25, becomes a free agent after five years with the team, his final two seasons marked by controversy.
The second baseman/shortstop was suspended for 40 games near the end of the 2018 season for violating the league's domestic abuse policies. Despite that suspension, the Cubs tendered him a contract for 2019, and he sat out the first 28 games of last season to complete his suspension.
He was demoted to the minors last summer not long after telling ESPN he needed to be "more familiar" with the team's signs.