The Chicago Cubs appear to be getting closer to welcoming back an important piece of their bullpen, with closer Daniel Palencia progressing through his recovery and moving toward a potential return to the major league roster.
Palencia has been sidelined since June 16 because of a mild right elbow flexor strain. The injury has kept Chicago without one of its most important late-inning arms during a critical portion of the season. Palencia led the Cubs with 22 saves last year, so his eventual return could provide a major boost to a bullpen that has had to adjust its late-game roles in his absence.
The latest update indicates that Palencia is continuing to work his way back and is approaching the final stages of his rehabilitation. The Cubs had him scheduled to throw a live bullpen session in Chicago as part of the process, an encouraging indication that the organization believes he is progressing toward game action.
The timing is particularly important for Chicago. The Cubs entered their Cardinals series with a strong record and have been pushing to remain firmly positioned in the National League playoff picture. Getting their established closer back before the final weeks of the regular season could give manager Craig Counsell another dependable option for protecting narrow leads.
Palencia’s Absence Has Created a Bullpen Challenge
Before his injury, Palencia had emerged as one of Chicago’s most reliable relief pitchers. His ability to miss bats and handle high-pressure situations made him a natural choice for the ninth inning.
His absence forced the Cubs to redistribute those responsibilities among other relievers. While Chicago has managed to remain competitive, having Palencia available again would give Counsell greater flexibility when navigating the final three innings of close games.
The Cubs also recently lost another bullpen option when right-hander Gavin Hollowell was placed on the 15-day injured list with right shoulder inflammation. Chicago responded by recalling left-hander Antoine Kelly from Triple-A Iowa.
That development makes Palencia’s progress even more significant. The Cubs are trying to maintain a deep and reliable bullpen as the postseason race intensifies, and the return of their primary closer would help stabilize the back end.
The Cubs Are Being Careful With His Return
Although Palencia is getting closer, Chicago has every reason to take a cautious approach.
Elbow injuries involving pitchers require careful management, particularly when the affected arm belongs to a high-leverage reliever. The Cubs will want to make sure Palencia can repeatedly throw at full intensity without experiencing discomfort before placing him back into competitive games.
A successful live bullpen session is an important step, but it is not necessarily the final one. The team will likely want Palencia to demonstrate that he can handle increasingly demanding throwing workloads before activating him.
That could include additional bullpen work, simulated game action or a minor league rehabilitation appearance depending on how the Cubs evaluate his recovery.
Why Palencia’s Return Matters
Palencia’s return would give Chicago more than simply another arm.
The right-hander has already demonstrated that he can handle the pressure of the ninth inning. His previous experience closing games means Counsell would not have to gradually introduce him into a new role.
Instead, if Palencia is healthy and effective, the Cubs could potentially return him directly to high-leverage situations.
That would allow other relievers to move back into more natural roles and reduce the pressure on the bullpen as a whole.
The importance of that depth becomes even greater during the stretch run. Games become increasingly meaningful in August and September, and teams competing for postseason spots cannot afford to overwork a small group of relievers.
Chicago’s Playoff Push Raises the Stakes
The Cubs have established themselves as a serious postseason contender, making Palencia’s recovery particularly well-timed.
Chicago has been playing strong baseball for much of the second half, and the team entered the Cardinals series with a substantial advantage in the National League Wild Card race. The Cubs are also attempting to stay within striking distance of the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central.
A healthy Palencia could therefore become one of the club’s most important additions for the final weeks of the regular season even though he would technically be returning from the injured list rather than joining the team through a trade.
His ability to close games could make a difference in a number of situations where Chicago holds a one- or two-run lead late.
The Cardinals Series Highlighted the Need for Depth
The Cubs’ series against St. Louis provided another reminder of how quickly games can swing.
Chicago won the series opener 3-0 behind a dominant pitching performance, but St. Louis responded by winning the next two games. The Cardinals took Saturday’s game 8-4 and then routed Chicago 11-4 on Sunday.
The Sunday defeat was particularly difficult for Chicago because Edward Cabrera struggled in his return from the injured list, while shortstop Dansby Swanson also suffered an injury that is expected to send him to the IL.
Those developments have increased the pressure on the Cubs to maintain as much pitching depth as possible.
Palencia Could Be a Major Late-Season Boost
If his recovery continues without setbacks, Palencia could return at a valuable point in the season.
The Cubs do not necessarily need him to immediately throw multiple innings or take on an enormous workload. Simply having a healthy, experienced closer available for the most important situations would strengthen the bullpen.
His return could also allow Counsell to use other relievers more strategically instead of relying on them to cover the ninth inning on a regular basis.
For a team with postseason ambitions, that kind of flexibility can become extremely valuable.
The Cubs are not rushing Daniel Palencia back, but the latest signs are encouraging. After missing nearly two months with an elbow flexor strain, the closer is moving closer to competitive action. If he continues progressing without a setback, Chicago could soon regain one of its most important late-inning weapons just as the playoff race enters its most demanding stage.
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