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The Cubs’ latest sense of urgency resulted in the demotion of struggling infielder Addison Russell to Triple-A Iowa while making room for catcher Willson Contreras from the injured list before Wednesday’s game against the Giants.

Russell, 25, a starter for his first four seasons with the Cubs, missed the first 33 games of the season while completing a 40-game suspension for violating Major League Baseball’s domestic violence policy. He returned May 7 but was hitting .247 with six home runs and 16 RBIs in 55 games. He is hitting .233 since June 1 and was benched the previous three games.

“At this point, with everything considered, we felt it was best to get him back to get some regular at-bats, hopefully clear his head a little bit, running the bases, getting the signs, the focus returning,” manager Joe Maddon said. “He was so important to what we did several years ago, we believed he was going to do that again for us. But under these conditions, playing sporadically, it’s not going to happen.”

The Cubs placed Contreras on the injured list retroactive to July 14 because of a strained right foot. He was hitting .286 with 19 home runs and 55 RBIs in 78 games and was in the starting lineup Wednesday for the series finale against the Giants.

This marks the second time in three days the Cubs optioned one of their core players from the 2016 World Series team. Reliever Carl Edwards Jr., who was one out from earning the save in Game 7, was sent to Iowa on Monday because of his struggles.

Russell “was wonderful” upon learning of the news, Maddon said before the game. “He was really good. (Third-base coach) Brian Butterfield sat with me, and we talked to him. (Russell) looked you right in the eyeballs. The biggest thing was: ‘When do I go? How do I get there. Who do I talk to?’

“I saw in his eyes it was the right thing to do. Nobody wants to be sent out, but I think he understands he needs to play to get back to where he had been.”

Maddon said Saturday’s game, in which Russell committed a series of lapses, is “kind of representative of where he’s at. But it’s been cumulative.”

Russell’s playing time at second base diminished with the emergence of Robel Garcia. David Bote will serve as the primary backup to shortstop Javier Baez.

Kris Bryant and Daniel Descalso were unaware of Russell’s demotion until informed by reporters.

“(Russell) has been a big part of this, been a big-league player for a long time,” Bryant said. “He’s had great moments here. I guess it’s weird seeing that happen, just given the situation we have here with trades and Willson coming off the IL. They had to make a move.”

Bryant felt bad for some of Russell’s mishaps, including losing a ball in the sun Saturday at Wrigley Field. Bryant experienced the same thing earlier this season.

“There’s no reason to think that he’s not going to help us win,” Bryant said. “He’s a tremendous talent, and I think he’s going to work on some things and going to be important to this team if we’re going to keep moving forward.”

Descalso, 32, a nine-year veteran in his first season with the Cubs, enjoyed his baseball conversations with Russell.

“I feel bad for Addi,” Descalso said. “I know he’s worked hard. He’s dealt with a lot of stuff this year. If they feel like this is the best move for the team, then that’s what they’re going to go with.

“Hopefully he’s not down there too long. He’s a good player, and we can use him at his best.”

The Cubs elected not to move Descalso, who is in the first year of a two-year, $5 million contract and is batting .181.

“I haven’t had too many opportunities, but that’s no one’s fault but my own,” Descalso said.