WASHINGTON -- The Chicago Cubs' infield had a new look in its starting lineup Thursday, as Addison Russell returned to a starting spot while Kris Bryant was out the day after injuring his ankle in a freak play in Wednesday's game against the Washington Nationals.Russell was in the lineup at shortstop and batting fifth for the series finale in Washington on Thursday for the defending champions. He left the game Sunday in Miami against the Marlins with a sore shoulder, and was only used as a pinch-hitter in games Monday and Tuesday in Washington.Bryant was playing third base when he got a foul pop Wednesday and then stepped on the third base bag after making the catch and turning his ankle. He left the game in the fifth inning with a mid-to mild right ankle sprain."It feels a ton better," said Bryant, standing in front of his locker before Thursday's game. "It is just one of those nagging things. After the game we did a bunch of stuff that didn't feel good (for his foot) but made me feel better today.""The ball started out pretty far from the bag but it was coming back. I can't believe that happened," he added of the popup injury.Bryant doesn't feel he will have to go on the disabled list. "It won't be long" until he returns, said the Las Vegas product. He didn't say if he would be available to pinch-hit Thursday. "I just got here," he said about two hours before the 4:05 p.m. ET first pitch.When could Bryant return?"We're not applying any kind of finish line to it," Cubs manager Joe Maddon said. "I saw him walk on the bus. Thought it was encouraging to see that. I honestly don't know. Just got to give us a couple of days to figure it out at that point."Since the Cubs are off Monday, could Bryant play Tuesday against Tampa Bay?"I would think that's what it's going to be. When you sprain your ankle, it just doesn't get better over night," Maddon said.Bryant is hitting .264 with 16 homers and 32 RBIs and a .520 slugging average. Russell began the day batting .230 with seven homers and 29 RBIs and a slugging mark of .404.The Cubs started the day 39-39 and one game back of first-place Milwaukee in the National League Central.