James Russell came into Saturday's game against the Rockies after starter Casey Coleman suffered a leg injury.

Manager Mike Quade was deciding between Russell or Samardzija to start Tuesday's game. With Russell's relief appearance, look for Samardzija to be Tuesday's starter.

Cubs manager Mike Quade confirmed that James Russell will start next Tuesday's game against the Astros.

Quade said Russell will throw 45-50 pitches at the most, so the Cubs will have to rely on their bullpen. Needless to say, fantasy owners don't want any part of Russell here, even though the Astros' offense is one of the league's worst.

Cubs manager Mike Quade confirmed that James Russell is a consideration to start next Tuesday against the Astros.

The Cubs are hurting for rotation options with the injuries to Andrew Cashner and Randy Wells, so they may look towards the left-hander for a spot start. "We're talking about starting him on that Tuesday in Houston,'' said Quade. ``Nothing's been decided, but he did do that some this spring, and he's done it before. . . . A stretch-out for him is three or four innings. That's not ideal. So that's probably one of the things we're going to talk about. But he's in the mix for sure.'' The Cubs may also consider Thomas Diamond, who is currently with Triple-A Iowa.

James Russell got knocked around in three innings against the Angels on Monday, allowing six hits, four runs (three earned) and a home run.

He struck out two and walked none. In the running for a job at the back-end of the Cubs rotation, Russell now owns a 10.80 ERA through five innings this spring. However, he's still off to a better start than one of the men he's competing with, Carlos Silva, who has posted an unbelievably bad 29.70 ERA to start off his spring.

James Russell is the only Cubs left-hander being considered for a rotation spot.

Cubs manager Mike Quade said Monday, "We don't have a left-handed starter. You can win this thing without one, but let's see [if he can do it]." Russell's father, Jeff, was one of the most dominant closers in baseball during his heyday. The younger James pitched 49 innings from the bullpen last season for the Cubs, tallying a 4.96 ERA and 1.35 WHIP. Only one outing lasted longer than 2 2/3 innings, so it remains to be seen how he will handle the new role. The Cubs aren't totally sold on him yet.

James Russell will be given a shot at a rotation spot this spring.

Russell operated as a reliever last year as a rookie, posting a decent 4.96 ERA and 1.35 WHIP over 49 innings of work. The 25-year-old left-hander relies mostly on a high-80s fastball and a sharp slider, but he also carries a curveball and changeup in his arsenal. His main competition will be Andrew Cashner, a 24-year-old righty. This is one to watch come spring time.

Cubs recalled LHP James Russell from Triple-A Iowa.

Russell was sent to the minor leagues earlier this month after posting a 4.71 ERA and 1.43 WHIP over 20 relief appearances. The 24-year-old left-hander had a 5.73 ERA in five games with Triple-A Iowa.

Cubs optioned LHP James Russell to Triple-A Iowa.

Russell earned a spot in the Cubs' Opening Day bullpen with a nice spring, but things haven't quite worked out. In 20 relief appearances the 24-year-old left-hander posted a 1.43 WHIP and a 4.71 ERA.