Chicago Cubs general manager Jed Hoyer recently provided an explanation for the team’s decision to keep Addison Russell on their roster despite some accusations of domestic violence towards his wife Melisa Reidy.

Per an article from Bleacher Report, Hoyer appeared on Chicago's ESPN 1000 and explained that he spoke with several people before coming to a decision to tender a one-year, $3.4 million contract to Russell. After inking the deal, Russell said in a statement that he will begin counseling as part of a treatment plan put together by the MLB and MLB Players Association.

Hoyer said he knew the decision would be “unpopular” among the general public, although experts recommended giving Russell a “conditional second chance.”

Reidy detailed her account Russell’s behavior towards her last September, taking to her personal blog. This is one excerpt from the article.

“I was deeply hurt that he could even be capable of this behavior towards me, I couldn't understand how the man I was so in love with, the FATHER of my child, the man I married just a few months ago could show such aggression towards me. … But, as I expected our visit was a nightmare, I swore to myself it would be the last time he'd lay his hands on me & it would be that last time I'd let my son be a witness to it.”

In lieu of the allegations, Major League baseball placed the Cubs shortstop on administrative leave before suspending him 40 games, which started on September 21. He will serve the rest of his suspension by missing the first 29 games of the 2019 season.

He will be eligible to return starting May 3, looking to rebound from a career-worst season in 2018.