Player News

• Cubs' Daniel Palencia: Activated from IL

  09/24/2025 • By RotoWire

  The Cubs reinstated Palencia (shoulder) from the injured list Wednesday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. Palencia has been sidelined since Sept. 8 due to a strained right shoulder, although he pitched in a rehab game Saturday, during which he gave up an unearned run and struck out two batters over two-thirds of an inning. The Cubs will now likely aim to get him a few more big-league appearances before he serves as the team's primary closer during the postseason. Jordan Wicks was optioned to the Arizona Complex League in a corresponding move.

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• Cubs' Daniel Palencia: Resumes mound work

  09/16/2025 • By RotoWire

  Palencia (shoulder) joined the Cubs for their road trip in Pittsburgh and threw off a mound Monday for the first time since landing on the injured list Sept. 8, the Associated Press reports. Prior to being deactivated after he was diagnosed with a left shoulder strain, Palencia had emerged as the Cubs' closer and converted 22 of 25 save chances while logging a 3.00 ERA and 1.18 WHIP over 51 innings on the season. The right-hander is without a definitive timeline for a return from the IL, but the fact that he's resumed mound work leaves the door open for him to be activated before the regular season comes to an end Sept. 28. In addition to completing another side session or two, Palencia will likely need to face hitters in live batting practice or in a brief minor-league rehab assignment before the Cubs add him back to their bullpen.

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• Cubs' Daniel Palencia: Plays catch Friday

  09/12/2025 • By RotoWire

  Palencia (shoulder) played catch Friday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports. It's the first time he's thrown since he suffered a right shoulder strain Sunday and landed on the 15-day injured list Monday. It's a good sign that he's already playing catch, and the Cubs will map out a rehab plan for Palencia based on how he comes out of Friday's throwing session. Palencia will be eligible to return Sept. 23, but it's too soon to know whether he has a chance to be back by that date. Andrew Kittredge has the lone save for the Cubs since Palencia went down, and Brad Keller is also expected to be in the mix to close games.

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• Cubs' Daniel Palencia: Sent to IL with shoulder strain

  09/08/2025 • By RotoWire

  The Cubs placed Palencia on the 15-day injured list Monday due to a right shoulder strain, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports. The Chicago closer will hit the shelf after he experienced tightness in his shoulder during his relief appearance against the Nationals on Sunday, when he was dealt the loss and his third blown save of the season after failing to retire any of the five batters he faced while giving up four hits -- including two home runs -- and one walk. The Cubs haven't yet offered up a timeline for Palencia's return, but as a pitcher who's heavily reliant on high velocity and now coming back from an arm injury, he seems likely to be sidelined beyond the minimum 15 days. Manager Craig Counsell hasn't provided word on his plans for the ninth inning while Palencia is on the shelf, but Brad Keller, Andrew Kittredge and Caleb Thielbar have been pitching effectively in high-leverage spots of late and could be the Chicago relievers most likely to factor into the mix for saves over the next few weeks.

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• Cubs' Daniel Palencia: Suffers injury during blown save

  09/07/2025 • By RotoWire

  Palencia was removed from Sunday's game against the Nationals with tightness in the posterior of his right shoulder, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports. It was a disastrous day for Palencia, who was charged with the loss and a blown save while failing to retire any of the five batters he faced. However, the injury is a bigger concern for the Cubs in the closing stretch of the regular season. Palencia is headed for medical testing, so his status could be updated within the next day or two.

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