Cub SS Addison Russell (back) at '95 percent,' hopes to avoid DL

Cub SS Addison Russell (back) at ’95 percent,’ hopes to avoid DL

By Gordon Wittenmyer

Addison Russell doubles against the Brewers in a spring game March 14. (Photo for the Sun-Times/John Antonoff)

MESA, Ariz. — Shortstop Addison Russell said his sore back feels ‘‘95 percent better,’’ and he hopes to return to the lineup Wednesday for the first time since last week.

But Russell acknowledged he might open the season on the disabled list if the soreness lingers, with the Cubs taking advantage of the new 10-day DL. Teams will be allowed to backdate such a move to March 30, which means Russell would be eligible to return the day before the home opener April 10.

‘‘We’re trying to start the season out on a good note — and definitely in St. Louis,’’ Russell said of the Cubs’ season opener Sunday. ‘‘That’s kind of the goal. But if the back doesn’t feel well till then, maybe [the DL is] something that we have to do. But the way that I’m feeling, I don’t think that’s necessary.’’

Manager Joe Maddon said the training staff is confident Russell will be fine in the next couple of days and added: ‘‘I’m OK with him getting some rest right now.’’

As for the possibility of a DL stint to buy more recovery time, if necessary, Maddon said, ‘‘We’re not considering it right now.’’

Kawasaki released

The Cubs released popular middle infielder Munenori Kawasaki from his minor-league contract Tuesday, the deadline to avoid paying him a $100,000 retention bonus.

The move gives Kawasaki, who had a strong spring, a chance to try to land a big-league job before the season starts. If that doesn’t happen, the Cubs are expected to talk to him about returning.

‘‘A guy like that needs to take advantage of how well he’s playing and possibly see if there’s a chance to get a major-league job,’’ Maddon said. ‘‘That’s all that is. But we would love to have him back.’’

Kawasaki, a career .237 hitter in 276 big-league games for three teams, hit .282 with three extra-base hits, six walks and a .378 on-base percentage this spring.

Sutcliffe dancing with the bar

Former Cubs right-hander Rick Sutcliffe, a special instructor during the spring, is scheduled to shoot a segment of ‘‘Dancing With the Stars’’ with former catcher David Ross on Wednesday.

‘‘I’m not dancing,’’ Sutcliffe said. ‘‘I’m going to play a bartender, something I’m more familiar with. I’m not used to being on that side of the bar, but I’m actually closer to a cold beer.’’

Sutcliffe made his annual trek to the minor-league side of camp to meet with the young pitchers, taking special assistant Kevin Youkilis and major-league ERA champ Kyle Hendricks along.

Roster cuts

The Cubs sent Rule 5 pitcher Caleb Smith back to the Yankees and reassigned injured non-roster infielders Chris Dominguez and Jemile Weeks to minor-league camp.

The roster is at 27. That includes non-roster catcher Carlos Corporan, leaving only the Matt Szczur–Tommy

La Stella spot to resolve.

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Email: gwittenmyer@suntimes.com