Cubs place closer Daniel Palencia on IL with shoulder strain

The Chicago Cubs just hit a rough patch in their bullpen. Closer Daniel Palencia landed on the 15-day injured list with a strained right shoulder.

The timing couldn’t be much worse. Chicago’s right in the thick of the National League wild card race, and Palencia’s been a vital piece in 2024.

His absence now leaves a big question mark hanging over the Cubs’ late-inning plans. Who steps up when the game’s on the line?

Daniel Palencia’s Injury and Ninth-Inning Collapse

Palencia’s shoulder trouble showed up in dramatic fashion during Sunday’s 6–3 loss to the Washington Nationals. He entered the ninth inning with a 3–1 lead but couldn’t record a single out.

Two home runs, a triple, a single, and a walk later, what looked like a sure win slipped away. That one stung.

Concerning Velocity Drop

One of the biggest red flags? Palencia’s fastball velocity dipped noticeably. He averaged 98.5 mph—down 1.1 mph from his usual speed.

The splitter was even slower, clocking in at 86.8 mph, which is a 1.3 mph drop. For a guy who thrives on overpowering hitters, that’s worrisome.

Physical issues seemed unavoidable, and the Cubs had no choice but to shut him down.

Season Performance Before the Setback

Even with Sunday’s disaster, Palencia’s numbers show how much he’s meant to the Cubs’ bullpen. He converted 22 of 25 save chances and put up a 3.00 ERA.

Still, his 1–6 record is a reminder of how unpredictable the closer’s job can be. Blown saves and bad luck can make the stats look rough.

Third Year in Chicago

Palencia’s only 25 and already in his third big-league season. He’s turned into one of the more electric arms out of the pen.

Manager Craig Counsell has leaned on him to get big outs under pressure. Now, Counsell has to find someone else for those moments while Palencia heals.

Manager Craig Counsell’s Plan for Recovery

Counsell talked about the injury and said Palencia will stay with the team during their Atlanta road trip. After that, he’ll head back to Chicago.

The medical staff will keep a close eye on his shoulder. They’ll tweak his rehab as needed, hoping for the best but not taking any risks.

Next Man Up: Ethan Roberts Returns

To fill the gap, the Cubs called up reliever Ethan Roberts from Triple-A Iowa. Roberts should help cover the late innings, but it’s anyone’s guess how the bullpen will shake out without Palencia.

We’ll probably see a lot of mixing and matching until things settle down.

Impact on Cubs’ Playoff Push

Heading into Monday, the Cubs held a slim two-game edge over the Padres for the top NL wild card spot. With less than two months left, every game suddenly feels huge.

Depth in the bullpen could end up making all the difference. October baseball isn’t guaranteed.

Key Factors Moving Forward

Here’s what Cubs fans will be watching closely in the weeks ahead:

• Palencia’s Rehab Progress: How soon—and how well—he can bounce back will shape the bullpen’s fate.
• Ethan Roberts’ Performance: If Roberts steps up, he could give the Cubs the stability they desperately need.
• Bullpen Depth: Counsell’s decisions late in games will be under the microscope, especially against playoff-caliber teams.

Final Thoughts

Losing a closer this late in the season? That’s always a headache. The Cubs have managed to stay pretty resilient in 2024, though.

They might just hang in there until Palencia gets back. Right now, Chicago’s bullpen strategy is under a microscope.

Every pitch, every call—it all feels huge with October creeping closer.

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