Russell has signed a $530,000 contract with the Kiwoom Heroes of the KBO, Jeeho Yoo of the Yonhap News Agency reports.
Russell's tenure with the Cubs ended this offseason with the team opting to non-tender him after the second baseman was handed a 40-game suspension following an alleged domestic violence incident. He did eventually appear in 82 games for Chicago but managed to hit just .237/.308/.391 and will now head overseas to continue his career.
Russell was non-tendered by the Cubs on Monday, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
The former top prospect peaked with the Cubs in 2016, and has been worth 3.4 fWAR combined over the past three seasons. Given his pedigree and the fact he is still a solid defensive shortstop, Russell could catch on with a non-contending team, but he is a mono-league option at best in fantasy.
Russell went 4-for-5 with a run scored in Saturday's 8-6 win over the Cardinals.
Russell hasn't played much in September as he's recovered from a concussion, and he actually doubled his monthly hit total in just this game alone. The 25-year-old started at shortstop with Nico Hoerner playing second. Next season, with a healthy Javier Baez around, one of Hoerner or Russell will likely be squeezed out of regular playing time.
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Cubs' Addison Russell: Makes first appearance since concussion
Rotowire
Russell (concussion) struck out in a pinch-hit at-bat Tuesday in the Cubs' 9-2 loss to the Pirates.
The appearance was Russell's first since he suffered a concussion back on Sept. 8. While Russell was out, Nico Hoerner filled in as the Cubs' primary shortstop and now looks on track to hold down the fort at the position the rest of the way after finding success at the dish in his first taste of the big leagues. Javier Baez (thumb) had been tracking toward a return to the lineup this week, but the injury is still presenting issues for him in the field and may result in him being limited to a bench role for the Cubs' final five games.
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Cubs' Addison Russell: Back from concussion list
Rotowire
Russell was activated from the 7-day concussion list prior to Thursday's game against the Cardinals, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Russell wasn't expected to be back until Friday, but the Cubs made a last-minute decision to bring him back from the concussion list minutes before Thursday's matchup. He'll be available off the bench and could have a hard time finding playing time moving forward with how well Nico Hoerner has been playing of late.
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Cubs' Addison Russell: Could be activated Friday
Rotowire
Russell (concussion) could be activated Friday, Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Russell is on the verge of returning to action, but he was evaluated prior to Thursday's game, and it was decided that he is not ready just yet. If all checks out Friday, though, he could rejoin the roster for the stretch run.
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Cubs' Addison Russell: Takes batting bractice
Rotowire
Russell (concussion) took batting practice Monday, Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Russell has been out with a concussion for eight days since getting hit by a pitch in the face. Nico Hoerner has grabbed a hold of the starting shortstop job in the meantime. Russell's timeline remains unclear, though he appears to be making progress in the right direction.
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Cubs' Addison Russell: Remains out Sunday
Rotowire
Russell (head) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Pirates.
Russell was expected to be re-evaluated Friday, but his status has yet to be officially updated. Nico Hoerner has taken over the starting gig at shortstop with a 1.231 OPS through his first six games.
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Cubs' Addison Russell: Moves to concussion list
Rotowire
Russell was placed on the seven-day concussion list Sunday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Russell is confirmed to have a concussion after being hit in the face by a pitch last weekend and remains in the concussion protocol. Nico Hoerner has taken command of the starting job at shortstop with a .417/.481/.750 slash line through his first six games.
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Cubs' Addison Russell: Still out Saturday
Rotowire
Russell (head) is not in Saturday's lineup against the Pirates.
Even when he's cleared to return, Russell will be occupying a bench role now that rookie Nico Hoerner has taken the shortstop job. Russell is presumably day-to-day and was expected to be re-evaluated Friday.
Russell (head) remains on the bench Friday against the Pirates.
Russell has been out since getting hit in the head by a pitch Sunday. There's no guarantee he'd be starting even if healthy, though, as he owns a poor .692 OPS while rookie Nice Hoerner has managed an .879 OPS over his first four contests. Hoerner starts at shortstop Friday.
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Cubs' Addison Russell: Won't return until homestand
Rotowire
Russell (head) will be re-evaluated at the start of the Cubs' next homestand, which begins Friday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.
Russell was hit in the head by a pitch Sunday and will take at least a couple more days before returning to action. Nico Hoerner will continue seeing time at shortstop for the Cubs.
