He pitched in Major League Baseball for the Chicago White Sox, San Diego Padres, and Tampa Bay Rays.

[2] He made his professional debut that year, combining to go 4–2 with a 3.75 ERA in 17 appearances (six starts) between the Rookie-Level Great Falls Voyagers and Class-A Kannapolis Intimidators in 2004.

Russell was rated by Baseball America as the number seven prospect and possessing the best fastball in the White Sox farm system entering the 2006 season.

[3] Russell was again rated by Baseball America as the number seven prospect and possessing the best fastball in the White Sox farm system entering the season.

He made his Major League debut on June 17 against the Pittsburgh Pirates with one perfect inning pitched and his first strikeout against José Bautista.

[6] Russell earned his first major league win on July 1 as the White Sox defeated the Cleveland Indians 3–2 in 10 innings.

[7] On July 31, 2009, Russell was traded to the San Diego Padres along with Aaron Poreda, Clayton Richard and Dexter Carter for Jake Peavy.

[5] On December 17, 2010, a deal was finalized that sent Russell, along with Cesar Ramos, Brandon Gomes and Cole Figueroa, to the Tampa Bay Rays for Jason Bartlett and a player to be named later.