The Cubs recalled infielder Addison Russell from Class AAA Iowa on Friday and activated reliever Brandon Kintzler from the injured list.

The club sent Albert Almora Jr. to Iowa and optioned pitcher James Norwood.

Russell had been struggling all season before the team demoted him on July 24. The final straw seemed to be when he admitted to forgetting the team’s signs. He was trying to come back after Major League Baseball suspended him 40 games for violating its domestic-violence policy.

The #Cubs today announced the following roster moves:

- RHP Brandon Kintzler activated from 10-day IL

- INF Addison Russell recalled from @IowaCubs

- OF Albert Almora Jr. optioned to Triple-A

- RHP James Norwood optioned to Triple-A pic.twitter.com/p8VD6QVz4b — Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) August 16, 2019

Kintzler’s return from the 10-day injured list should help stabilize a Cubs bullpen that has been, at best, unreliable.

When Kintzler went on the IL, manager Joe Maddon said he has been ‘‘fabulous’’ and probably the Cubs’ most consistent reliever all season.