Kris Bryant, Addison Russell to Be Activated from DL vs. Phillies

Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon said Friday that third baseman Kris Bryant and shortstop Addison Russell will be activated from the disabled list prior to Saturday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies.

According to MLB.com's Carrie Muskat, Maddon said he expects Bryant to start Saturday, but he did not offer specifics on Russell's role.

Bryant hasn't played since July 23 due to a shoulder injury, while Russell has been on the shelf since Aug. 19 with a sprained finger.

Prior to landing on the DL, Bryant was having a somewhat disappointing season with a .276 batting average, 11 home runs and 44 RBI in 76 games.

The two-time All-Star is just two seasons removed from being named National League MVP after hitting .292 with 39 homers and 102 RBI in 2016.

Russell has appeared in 112 games this season, and he is hitting .259 with five home runs and 37 RBI.

He was named an All-Star for the first and only time in 2016, but his production has dropped off over the past two seasons.

In 2017 and 2018 combined, Russell has 17 homers and 80 RBI, compared to 21 home runs and 95 RBI in 2016 alone.

David Bote has been filling in for Bryant at third, while Javier Baez went from second base to shortstop with the recently acquired Daniel Murphy playing second during Russell's absence.

The return of Bryant and Russell will give the Cubs considerable depth and the option of rotating the likes of Baez, Murphy, Russell and Ben Zobrist in the middle infield.

Chicago entered play Friday with the best record in the National League at 79-54, and a 4.5-game lead over the St. Louis Cardinals in the NL Central.