NL Central update: Addison Russell, Elian Herrera, Mitch Harris

After last week's Kris Bryant-palooza, the Cubs have called up another of their prized prospects in infielder Addison Russell. To make room for Russell, the Cubs optioned infielder Arismendy Alcantara, the team announced:

#Cubs today selected the contract of INF Addison Russell from Triple-A Iowa and optioned INF/OF Arismendy Alcantara to Triple-A.

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 21, 2015

Russell came to Chicago last season as the centerpiece in the Jeff Samardzija blockbuster, and has played shortstop most of his career at shortstop, though he will play for the Cubs at second base while Starlin Castro remains at short. You can read more on Russell's call up here.

NL Central News & Notes 4/21:

• What The Cubs Can Expect From Addison Russell - Bleed Cubbie Blue
  "For the organization, this move indicates that the Cubs are going for it all this season without (so far) sacrificing any of the future. The next "waves" in the minor league system are Kyle Schwarber and Albert Almora, and if Theo Epstein and company think either one of them can help the team win later this season, they'll be here."

• Does Addison Russell make the Cubs the most watchable team in baseball? - SBNation.com
  "The Cubs called up Addison Russell, which means they're going to play two of the very best prospects in baseball at the same time. Does this give them the best team in baseball to watch?"

• The Milwaukee Brewers have recalled utility man Elian Herrera from Triple-A Colorado Springs, designating pitcher Brandon Kintzler for assignment, the team announced today. Herrera hit .274/.288/.341 in 140 plate appearances and 69 games for the Brewers last season and provides coverage in several areas for a Milwaukee team that has been hit hard by injuries. Here is more from Brew Crew Ball.
  

• Brewers place Jonathan Lucroy on disabled list with fractured toe, call up Juan Centeno - Brew Crew Ball
  Lucroy will miss about a month due to the injury while Martin Maldonado slides into a starting role.

• St. Louis, meanwhile, is going the opposite direction, calling up reliever and Naval Academy graduate Mitch Harris as the team embarks on a stretch of 20 games in 20 days, reports MLB.com's Jenifer Langosch. The addition of Harris gives the Cardinals eight relievers on their roster  for the heavy stretch of games, and Harris would be the first Navy graduate to pitch in the majors since 1921.

• Led by A.J. Burnett and Gerrit Cole, Pirates' rotation has been terrific so far - Bucs Dugout
  "It's early, and it's also April, typically a good month for pitchers. But the Bucs' starters have been great, by any reasonable standard."

• Huntington: Jung-Ho Kang 'one of the best 25,' belongs on roster - Bucs Dugout
  Brushing aside questions about whether consistent playing time might both help the club better assess whether Kang is major-league ready and help in his overall development, Neal Huntington said Kang has "earned the opportunity to be on this club."

NL Central standings 4/21: