DETROIT -- Cubs shortstop Addison Russell has a football mentality and said he tried to play through some aches and pains. However, he reached a point where he needed some time to heal and was placed on the 10-day disabled list on Wednesday.
Officially, Russell is sidelined because of a sprained left middle finger, but he was scratched from Tuesday's game against the Tigers because of right shoulder inflammation. With Russell on the DL, the Cubs had an open roster spot for newly acquired infielder Daniel Murphy, who started at second base on Wednesday night at Comerica Park.
"He's pretty beat up right now," manager Joe Maddon said of Russell. "The thing I love about him is he does not make excuses. Let's get him well, let's get him ready for the last month. I think you'll see a different animal when he comes back. He's just banged up."
Russell said the shoulder has been bothering him for awhile.
"We're making this push and I want to make sure the body is ready to go," Russell said.
How many injuries is he dealing with?
"There's a few of them," Russell said. "Me being a football player, I tend to play through the pain. I want to be out there on the field. Just playing through the pain is what I'm used to. When things start to linger on, that's when I know to show it a little more attention."
Injury updates
Right-hander Brandon Morrow, on the disabled list since July 18 because of right biceps inflammation, will undergo more tests on Friday in Chicago.
"The most important thing is getting him to a place where he feels he can go out and dominate," Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer said on Wednesday. "We're still trying to figure that timetable out. We're making sure we run the appropriate tests to know what's going on. He's obviously a huge factor for us. Our guys have really stepped up in his absence, but it's still a real absence for us and he makes us that much better."
Morrow is not expected back until September.
Meanwhile, Maddon joined hitting coaches Chili Davis and Andy Haines during an early session with third baseman Kristopher Bryant, who could be close to playing in some Minor League games. Bryant has been sidelined since July 24 because of left shoulder inflammation. He hit off a tee for about 10 minutes on Wednesday.
"He walked out of there smiling," Maddon said about the session.
They aren't trying to change Bryant's swing during games but what he does in practice to avoid putting any stress on the shoulder.
"You can practice some stuff, whether it's on the tee or [batting practice], and it may look slightly different, but when the game occurs, it will be exactly the same," Maddon said. "It's a little bit of protection as much as anything in that shoulder. You'll see the same guy when he comes back."
Maddon usually isn't that hands on, but he talked to Davis and Haines first. They didn't discuss mechanics but more "general theory," Maddon said.
What's next?
"I think he's getting close right now [to playing a rehab game] and I want to talk to him now," Maddon said.
Worth noting
• Yu Darvish had two MRIs before undergoing an arthrogram on Monday in Chicago, which revealed the stress reaction in his elbow. Hoyer said an arthrogram is really the last step because it's so invasive, which is why neither the Cubs' medical staff nor the Rangers' doctor Darvish saw recommended doing so earlier.

"With Yu, the initial MRIs didn't show a stress reaction and we treated the symptoms," Hoyer said. "You can't just always go to the ultimate test right away. We felt we had the right information."
• Hoyer said they are discussing September callups. The Cubs are hoping that the bulk of the guys added will be the ones activated from the disabled list. They also want to make sure they have sufficient pitching for the final month.
• The Cubs have yet to name their starter for Friday's game against the Reds.