Chicago Cubs shortstop Addison Russell is one of the team's most highly touted rookies and one of their best defensive players, but they will have to play without him during the National League Championship Series as he will miss the entire series with a hamstring strain. 

The news came from Cubs manager Joe Maddon on Thursday afternoon, and the announcement comes as a shock after Russell played a key role in the Cubs getting into the postseason. Maddon also said that the team has not decided which player will replace Russell on the NLCS roster when the team finalizes it, but it will likely be Jonathan Herrera. 

Russell, who batted .242 with 13 home runs during his rookie season for the Cubs, was one of the team's best defensive players all year long, and had solidified the shortstop position when he switched to the spot in August.

His spectacular plays appear all over highlight reels for the Cubs, and his presence at the bottom of the lineup gave Maddon a big contributor who was capable of getting on base in front of Dexter Fowler and the Cubs' other big sluggers. 

The Cubs' depth at shortstop has been one of their biggest strengths since the overhaul of the team's roster and farm system began, and it will be put to the test here. Javier Baez will likely see the majority of the starts at shortstop, but the team could also slide Starlin Castro back over to the position if necessary, with Tommy La Stella or Baez filling in at second base.