James Russell
RP FA
Tue 5/8/18 9:51 AM

The Tigers released Russell on Monday, John Wagner of The Toledo Blade reports.
EDGE Analysis
After failing to win a bullpen gig with the Tigers in spring training, Russell opened the season at Triple-A Toledo, making only two appearances and giving up five runs over three innings before getting let go. The lefty will likely try to land a minor-league deal elsewhere but will face a difficult path back to the majors regardless of where he lands.

James Russell
RP FA
Wed 1/10/18 12:58 PM

Russell agreed to a minor-league deal with the Tigers on Wednesday, Chris Cotillo of SB Nation reports.
EDGE Analysis
Russell spent the 2017 season with the Yucatan Lions, a Triple-A affiliate in the Mexican League, tossing 31 innings and accumulating a 2.03 ERA over five starts. The 32-year-old appeared in seven big-league games for the Phillies in 2016, and pitched in 49 for the Cubs a year prior, so he will bring some major-league experience to the Tigers. That said, Russell will likely begin the year with Triple-A Toledo.

James Russell
RP FA
Mon 2/13/17 11:35 AM

Russell signed a minor league contract with the Indians on Monday that includes an invitation to spring training, Tommy Stokke of FanRag Sports reports.
EDGE Analysis
The deal isn't complete until the left-hander passes a physical, but it seems like he'll be switching leagues with the hopes of returning to the majors. Russell spent the bulk of 2016 with the Phillies' Triple-A affiliate in Lehigh Valley, and he compiled a 4.29 ERA while acting as both a starter and a reliever. He'll compete for a bullpen role out of spring training, but it'll be tough to carve out a niche with Ryan Merritt and Shawn Morimando competing for southpaw spots behind Andrew Miller and Boone Logan in the Tribe's bullpen.

James Russell
RP FA
Thu 10/6/16 5:45 AM

Russell has elected free agency.
EDGE Analysis
Russell had a brief stint with the Phillies this year, but spent most of his season at Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He worked as both a starter and a reliever there, compiling a 3-5 record with a 4.29 ERA and a 49:19 K:BB in 79.2 innings.

James Russell
RP FA
Fri 4/22/16 1:24 PM

Russell cleared waivers Friday and was outrighted to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
After being designated for assignment Wednesday, Russell went through waivers unclaimed and has since been outrighted to the Phillies' Triple-A affiliate. Russell made the Opening Day roster out of camp thanks to a strong spring, but he couldn't quite sustain that success once the season got underway. In just 4.0 innings of work, Russell allowed two home runs and seven total earned runs. Given the Phillies' inconsistent bullpen and the fact that Russell is a southpaw, he could find a way back onto the 40-man roster later in the season.

James Russell
RP FA
Wed 4/20/16 3:52 PM

Russell was designated for assignment Wednesday.
EDGE Analysis
Russell made the Phillies roster out of spring training after striking out nine batters in 6.2 innings, but he has been horrendous in the regular season as his 18.69 ERA in seven appearances shows. Russell has to clear waivers before heading to Triple-A, so he could land with another team if anyone else is in need of a left-hander for their bullpen. To take his place in the bullpen, the Phillies selected the contract of Andrew Bailey from Triple-A Lehigh Valley.

James Russell
RP FA
Sat 4/2/16 4:47 PM

The Phillies selected Russell's contract Saturday, Todd Zolecki of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Russell won a job after posting a 2.70 ERA with a 9:0 K:BB in 6.2 innings this spring. He joins Brett Oberholtzer and Daniel Stumpf as the third lefty in the Phillies' pen.

James Russell
RP FA
Thu 11/12/15 11:48 AM

Russell signed a minor league deal with the Phillies on Thursday and will receive an invite to major league spring training.
EDGE Analysis
The 29-year-old southpaw had some effective years pitching out of the Cubs' bullpen earlier this decade, but a 5.29 ERA in 34 innings last year led to him being cast aside. He'll offer left-handed reliever depth for the Phillies in 2016.

James Russell
RP FA
Thu 9/3/15 5:58 PM

Russell was outrighted to Triple-A Iowa on Thursday, Carrie Muskat of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Russell was designated for assignment by the Cubs on Tuesday, and has gone unclaimed. He's no longer a member of the 40-man roster, and will serve as organizational depth.

James Russell
RP FA
Tue 9/1/15 5:21 PM

Russell was DFA'd on Tuesday.
EDGE Analysis
With Austin Jackson and David Ross joining Chicago's active roster Tuesday, Russell and right-hander Rafael Soriano were both DFA'd to clear room on the 40-man roster. Russell will likely land at Triple-A Iowa, where he's likely to play out the remainder of the season.