4/16 Russell to start Tuesday

Mike Quade says James Russell will get a second start on Tuesday when the Cubs face the Padres but the lefty still could pitch Sunday in relief if needed. Before Saturday’s game, Quade said it would be either Russell or Jeff Samardzija on Tuesday. Russell got one out in the 8-3 win over the Rockies, facing pinch-hitter Todd Helton. Samardzija threw in the bullpen.

“It was a flip of the coin, really,” Quade said about the decision. “I decided we’d let [Russell] start and think about a tandem again. The more I talk about the fact that we’re asking a couple bullpen guys to give us innings and start for us, the more I think they’re bullpen guys. If something arises where we need one of those guys to get us outs to win a game here and probably [Sunday] would be the last day, then we’ll do it.”

The Cubs have decided to stay in-house rather than dip into the Minor Leagues to fill Andrew Cashner’s spot while he rehabs from a strained right rotator cuff.

– Carrie Muskat