Cub Tracks Calls Up The (Other) New Guy

Here's the latest from around the web:

From Comcast SportsNet Chicago:

• With the promotion of Addison Russell to the big club, Joe Maddon is trying to create "the new normal" atmosphere.
• Starlin Castro on the current roster: "It's good that we are all together now."
• As for sticking at shortstop, Castro doesn't want to be a joke anymore.
• There has been a ton of talk about how to change the collective bargaining agreement to fix the service time issue. Here's how Scott Boras would fix it.
• Javier Baez may be returning to the club soon, but Maddon wants him to take as much time to return as he feels is necessary.

From Cubs.com:

• Tuesday night's come-from-behind win against the Pirates was a game that even some Cub players say they wouldn't have won last season.
• Addison Russell on his first game: "I'm happy to get the first one out of the way."
• Joe Maddon believes that Russell will be able to handle the promotion despite the lack of time at the Triple-A level.
• Jim Callis gives his take on what to expect from Russell.
• Anthony Castrovince writes that the Cubs are pulling no punches when it comes to putting the best Major League product on the field.
• Fun fact from Monday's game: Jake Arrieta recorded his 500th strikeout in his 100th start.
• And from Tuesday's game: Anthony Rizzo was hit by a pitch for the sixth time in April, breaking a franchise record.
• The 2015 Cubs Charities Diamond Project launched on Monday, aimed at improving the quality, safety, and accessibility of local fields and indoor training facilities.

From ESPN Chicago:

• How rare is it for a team with as much youth as the Cubs to make the playoffs? David Schoenfield looks back at the numbers.
• Joe Maddon admits that it's unusual to get players as young as the Cubs currently are to play with the swagger they're displaying right now.
• One major concern for Maddon despite the 8-5 record: a bullpen that's getting beaten up.
• [VIDEO] The Baseball Tonight crew discusses what Addison Russell will bring to the Cubs.
• [VIDEO] And here's Russell himself talking about his debut.
• It bears repeating: Don't forget about Jorge Soler.
• Jesse Rogers looks back at a Monday that was very good for the Cubs.
• [VIDEO] Buster Olney provides his take on Scott Boras' proposal for changing the service time rules.

From the Chicago Tribune:

• [VIDEO] Starlin Castro speaks about the Cubs' comeback win on Tuesday night.
• [VIDEO] Anthony Rizzo speaks about the influx of youth on the Cubs' roster.
• [VIDEO] Kris Bryant speaks about his game-winning Little League homer on Monday.
• With the promotion of Addison Russell to the big club, the Cubs now have three of the six youngest players in the National League.

From the Chicago Sun-Times:

• Uh, oh... even Gordo's coming around, saying that "this is a start." Of course it's followed immediately by discussing "the payoff for three years of hot mess", so you can't have everything.
• Wittenmyer also believes that a trade of Starlin Castro would be foolish unless it brings a "stupid-level of return from another team".
• David Just presents a list of eight things to know about Addison Russell.
• With his eight hits and six RBI in his first five games, Kris Bryant joins Jorge Soler and Andy Pafko as the only Cubs in history with that many hits and RBI in that time span, according to Elias Sports Bureau.

From Cubs Den:

• John Arguello gives his take on the Cubs' never-say-die attitude this season.

From Bleacher Nation:

• With Kris Bryant and Addison Russell now on the roster, who's next on the clock?
• The Cubs' plate discipline numbers are still quite good.
• The bullpen, however, needs a bit of a shift in roles, says Brett Taylor.
• [VIDEO] It's a Vogel-bomb!
• Cael Brockmeyer also took home Player of the Week honors with his .444 batting average and 1.218 OPS at Low-A South Bend.
• Michael Cerami takes an early look a the Cubs' updated expected win total.
• Cubs' television ratings continue to be strong, with WGN-TV reporting that the ratings from Tuesday's game were the highest since 2011.
• Jake Arrieta's Twitter game is very strong.

Miscellaneous:

• For the first time in its history, CSN Chicago will be carrying four live games in one day with the Cubs, White Sox, Bulls, and Blackhawks all in action today. (Handy channel guide included!)
  

Today's food for thought: