Daniel Palencia

Fantasy News

• Cubs' Daniel Palencia: Dominant during WBC

  Rotowire Mar 18, 2026

  Across five appearances for Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic, Palencia did not allow a hit while logging five scoreless innings and striking out nine. Palencia closed out Venezuela's win over the United States on Tuesday to win the WBC, and it continued a dominant stretch for the flamethrowing righty throughout the tournament. Following a breakout 2025 campaign in which he recorded a 2.91 ERA, 22 saves and 61 strikeouts across 52.2 innings for the Cubs during the regular season, Palencia has already been named the team's closer heading into 2026 and could be in line for even better production now that his role in the bullpen is secure.

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• Cubs' Daniel Palencia: Named closer by manager

  Rotowire Feb 11, 2026

  Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Wednesday that Palencia will open the season as the team's closer, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports. Palencia had a breakout 2025 campaign for the Cubs, putting up a 2.91 ERA and 61:16 K:BB over 52.2 regular-season innings while notching 22 saves. He missed time in September with a shoulder injury and, after returning, ceded the closer role to Brad Keller. However, after Keller signed with the Phillies this offseason, Palencia is set to return to the ninth inning. There's some risk that Palencia's control will regress in 2026, as he had a 7.4 percent walk rate in 2025 after walking batters at a 13.8 percent clip his first two seasons. However, the 26-year-old has electric stuff and showed last season he can handle the pressure of the ninth inning.

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• Cubs' Daniel Palencia: Activated from IL

  Rotowire Sep 24, 2025

  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

  Rotowire Sep 16, 2025

  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

  Rotowire Sep 12, 2025

  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

  Rotowire Sep 8, 2025

  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

  Rotowire Sep 7, 2025

  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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• Cubs' Daniel Palencia: Holds on for save No. 22

  Rotowire Sep 3, 2025

  Palencia allowed two hits and no walks in scoreless ninth inning for the save Tuesday against Atlanta, striking out one. Palencia has now yielded multiple hits in three of his last four outings, but he was able to hang on for his 22nd save of the season Tuesday. The right-hander has certainly been shaky of late, logging a 4.76 ERA and 1.85 WHIP over his last 11.1 innings since the start of August, though he remains Chicago's clear-cut closer. For the year, Palencia owns a 2.16 ERA and 1.10 WHIP while successfully converting all but two of his save opportunities across 50 innings.

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• Cubs' Daniel Palencia: Clean inning for save

  Rotowire Aug 30, 2025

  Palencia struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Rockies. Palencia retired the side of 13 pitches (eight strikes) to come away with his 21st save of the year. He's had some ups and downs in August, allowing five runs over 10.1 innings, but he's gone 7-for-8 in save chances. However, he's also posted a 1-2 record for the month. On the year, Palencia has a 2.02 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 56:15 K:BB through 49 innings while serving mostly as the Cubs' primary closer.

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• Cubs' Daniel Palencia: Secures 17th save

  Rotowire Aug 19, 2025

  Palencia recorded his 17th save of the season in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Brewers, giving up a hit and a walk while striking out one in a scoreless ninth inning. The right-hander hit triple digits on the radar gun with nine of his 17 pitches (11 strikes), but it was a 90.5 mph slider that got William Contreras to ground into a game-ending double play. Palencia has had a bumpy beginning to August, allowing runs in three of his six appearances while blowing one of four save chances, but his job as the Cubs' closer is in no jeopardy. On the season, Palencia sports a 1.81 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 47:12 K:BB through 44.2 innings.

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• Cubs' Daniel Palencia: Takes loss Friday

  Rotowire Aug 16, 2025

  Palencia (1-3) allowed a run in an inning of relief to take the loss Friday against the Pirates. Palencia was tasked with preserving a 2-2 tie in the top of the ninth inning, but he allowed a solo home run to Jack Suwinski that ultimately gave Pittsburgh the win. It was the young reliever's first loss since June 9 and just the third home run he's allowed all season. Palencia has been excellent with a 1.85 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 9.5 K/9 across 43.2 innings, and he should remain locked in as Chicago's closer despite the slight hiccup.

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• Cubs' Daniel Palencia: Locks down save Sunday

  Rotowire Jul 27, 2025

  Palencia tossed 1.1 scoreless innings of relief with a strikeout to earn the save in Sunday's 5-4 win over the White Sox. Palencia got the last out of the bottom of the eighth inning, ending a three-run White Sox rally, and then breezed through the ninth for his 14th save of the year in 15 chances. The righty has been particularly good lately, as he's now rattled off 10 straight appearances without allowing any earned runs. That's allowed Palencia to lower his ERA to a sparkling 1.43, and he's cemented his status as the Cubs' closer, with the likes of Ryan Pressly, Caleb Thielbar, Drew Pomeranz and Ryan Brasier working in setup roles.

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• Cubs' Daniel Palencia: Extends save streak to 13

  Rotowire Jul 18, 2025

  Palencia picked up the save Friday, allowing one hit in a scoreless ninth inning to close out a 4-1 win over the Red Sox. Called upon to protect a three-run lead, Palencia continued his excellent run in the ninth Friday, working around a base hit to record his 13th consecutive save and improve to 13-for-14 in save opportunities this season. The 25-year-old right-hander lowered his ERA to 1.53 and has now tallied 39 strikeouts across 35.1 innings of work.

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• Cubs' Daniel Palencia: Records another save Sunday

  Rotowire Jul 13, 2025

  Palencia tossed a scoreless ninth inning with a strikeout to secure the save in Sunday's 4-1 win over the Yankees. Palencia was needed to put out a fire Saturday, retiring the final two batters of the game to record a save, but he had a more conventional appearance Sunday. The righty came on for the full ninth inning with the Cubs up three runs, and he retired New York in order on 14 pitches to pick up his 12th save of the season. Palencia has emerged as Chicago's clear top closer, and he's been lights-out in the role with a 1.57 ERA, 0.87 WHIP and 39 strikeouts across 34.1 innings. Given how well the Cubs are playing, Palencia figures to see plenty of save chances moving forward, which boosts his fantasy profile.

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• Cubs' Daniel Palencia: Collects save No. 10

  Rotowire Jul 2, 2025

  Palencia picked up the save in Wednesday's 5-4 win over Cleveland, allowing one unearned run on no hits and one walk with no strikeouts in the ninth inning. The save was the 10th of the campaign for Palencia, who has stepped up as Chicago's clear favorite for saves. The right-hander has converted each of his last 10 save opportunities, turning in an outstanding 1.17 ERA, 0.98 WHIP and 19:4 K:BB over his past 15.1 innings. The Cubs could look to upgrade their bullpen ahead of the trade deadline later this month, but it appears the team's closing job is Palencia's to lose for the time being.

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• Cubs' Daniel Palencia: Locks down ninth save

  Rotowire Jul 2, 2025

  Palencia picked up the save in Tuesday's 5-2 victory over the Guardians. He allowed no hits or walks while striking out two over a perfect inning. Palencia quietly set the Guardians down in order Tuesday to notch his ninth save of the season. The right-hander has emerged as the Cubs' most dependable closing option this season, posting a 1.80 ERA, 0.97 WHIP and 35:10 K:BB across 30 innings in 28 appearances. Backed by a 99.5 mph fastball and sharper command than in years past, Palencia has delivered a standout first half.

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• Cubs' Daniel Palencia: Secures eighth save

  Rotowire Jun 26, 2025

  Palencia earned the save in Thursday's 3-0 win over the Cardinals, allowing one hit while striking out three in a scoreless ninth inning. Palencia was summoned to protect a three-run lead and worked around a double and a hit batter by striking out the next three hitters to close things out. Through eight June appearances, the 26-year-old has converted all three of his save chances while allowing two earned runs and posting an 11:1 K:BB. He's 8-for-9 in save opportunities this season with a 1.86 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 33:10 K:BB across 29 innings.

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• Cubs' Daniel Palencia: Earns another save Tuesday

  Rotowire Jun 17, 2025

  Palencia worked around a hit to toss a scoreless ninth inning and earn the save in Tuesday's 5-3 win over the Brewers. He struck out one. After Ryan Pressly picked up a save Thursday, Palencia has now recorded the last two saves for the Cubs, giving him seven for the year in eight chances. The latter has earned the right to close out games, as he's now sporting a 1.67 ERA, 0.96 WHIP and 29 strikeouts across 27 innings this season. Pressly has re-entered the mix for saves due to his strong play lately, but it appears that Palencia is still the top Chicago reliever to target for fantasy purposes.

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• Cubs' Daniel Palencia: Bypassed in save opportunity

  Rotowire Jun 12, 2025

  Palencia worked a scoreless eighth inning to earn a hold in Thursday's 3-2 win over the Pirates, with Ryan Pressly working the ninth to secure the save. For the first time since April 13, Pressly managed to earn a save as Palencia picked up his sixth hold of the season. Palencia had taken on closing duties in Chicago due to Pressly's poor start to the season, though the latter has now rattled off 14 straight appearances without allowing an earned run and has seemingly regained manager Craig Counsell's trust. Palencia could still see some ninth inning work moving forward, though his fantasy stock has taken a hit with Pressly back on the map.

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• Cubs' Daniel Palencia: Takes second loss

  Rotowire Jun 9, 2025

  Palencia (0-2) allowed two runs (one earned) on four hits and a walk across an inning of work to take the loss Monday against the Phillies. Palencia was tasked with working the bottom of the 10th inning in a 2-2 game, and outside of an intentional walk to Kyle Schwarber, he was able to get through the frame fairly quickly. The 11th was a different story, however, as the righty allowed four straight hits to take his second loss of the year. Palencia isn't often asked to work more than one inning, as he's retired four or more batters just four times in 21 appearances. Despite the hiccup, the 25-year-old has been solid with a 1.96 ERA, and he should remain Chicago's top closing option for the time being, though Porter Hodge (oblique/hip) could join the mix at some point when he's healthy. Opening Day closer Ryan Pressly is also pitching better after a rough start, so Palencia will need to pitch well to keep his grip on the role.

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