Addison Russell out as a Cub? Not so fast, says team president Theo Epstein: ‘We expect him back’

MILWAUKEE — The Cubs -expect veteran hitter Ben Zobrist to return to the team eventually this year, probably when rosters expand in September after spending time in the minors getting ready.

And whether many Cubs fans like it or not, the same goes for shortstop Addison Russell.

Team president Theo Epstein dismissed speculation that Russell’s demotion Wednesday signaled his final days as a Cub after inconsistent play since returning in May from a domestic-violence suspension.

“I wouldn’t say that,” Epstein said. “That move doesn’t necessarily carry any type of permanence. In fact, I think we expect him back.”

The front office has been criticized with each decision involved with keeping Russell in the organization since the conclusion of last year’s MLB investigation and 40-game suspension.

Russell hit .247 with a .733 OPS, mostly in a platoon role, since his return and more recently made a series of mental gaffes on the bases and in the field, including signs he sometimes missed and sometimes didn’t know.

“We had hoped that Addison would have put things together by now and be playing at a higher level, at his accustomed level,” Epstein said, emphasizing again the greater importance of Russell’s off-the-field work with his therapist and behavior changes. “He just went through a stretch where we needed a little bit more out of him in terms of his focus and attention to deal and to get locked in. That can still happen.”

Hamels time

Left-hander Cole Hamels (left oblique) will make his second minor-league rehab start Sunday with Class AAA Iowa, putting him on track — barring a setback — for a return from the injured list Friday or Saturday at home against the Brewers.

Hamels threw 35 pitches Tuesday in his first rehab start and is expected to throw 50-65 this time.

He had a 1.22 ERA in June when the injury forced him to exit his June 28 start after one inning.

His return would make the opening five-man rotation intact and healthy for the first time since the second week of June.