Report: MLB to investigate Addison Russell on domestic abuse allegations

Chicago Cubs shortstop Addison Russell is going to be investigated after allegations of domestic abuse were levied on social media.

It started as blog candy but became something that could derail the career and reputation of a young Chicago Cubs shortstop. Addison Russell is reportedly going to be investigated by MLB after a friend of his wife levied domestic abuse allegations against him on social media Wednesday night.

Russell’s wife Melissa posted an Instagram photo in which she put her husband on blast for cheating. That’s the blog fodder almost everyone picked up and ran with. The story, however, was so much deeper and darker than an athlete getting called out for cheating.

In the comments of the post, Melissa’s friend left a comment in which she claimed to have witnessed Russell abusing his wife in front of their children.

All photos, tweets and comments from Melissa have since been deleted from social media.

According to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times, that’s not going to stop an investigation by Major League Baseball into these allegations.

It’s not the first time the Cubs have been tangled up with domestic abuse allegations. While Aroldis Chapman was investigated and punished as a member of the New York Yankees, that didn’t stop Chicago from trading for him last season. Chapman immediately became Chicago’s closer and was instrumental in getting them to the World Series.

Russell’s case is a little different in that the Cubs are more heavily invested in his future. Chapman was a one-year rental where Russell is a young star on the rise who many saw as a part of Chicago’s infield for years to come.

MLB has yet to officially comment on the investigation or the allegations.