Closer Daniel Palencia Placed On IL By Cubs With Oblique Strain

[Steve Drumwright]

 

Injuries continue to strike the Chicago Cubs' pitching staff.

Right-handed closer Daniel Palencia went on the 15-day injured list Friday with a strained left oblique. A corresponding move to fill Palencia's spot on the active roster was not immediately announced, leaving the team shorthanded for Friday's game against the New York Mets.

Today’s roster moves presented by @NuveenInv:

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— Chicago Cubs (@cubsbot.bsky.social) April 17, 2026 at 10:50 AM

Palencia becomes the 10th Cubs pitcher to currently be on the injured list, which has challenged the team's depth. He has made five appearances this season, recording a save in his only opportunity while not allowing a run in five innings. Palencia has allowed three hits and two walks with five strikeouts. Palencia last pitched Sunday, getting the win after pitching the top of the ninth in the Cubs' 7-6 walk-off win over the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Palencia emerged as the Cubs' closer last season, converting 22 of 25 save chances and posting a 2.91 ERA in 54 appearances.

Right-hander Colin Rea is the only other Cub with a save this season, but he is now part of the starting rotation due to the slew of injuries. With Phil Maton, Hunter Harvey, Porter Hodge and Jordan Wicks also on the IL, the Cubs are likely to use a committee approach to the closing duties.

 

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[Tangled Up in Plaid]

the fact that's it's retroactive maybe gives hope it will be the minimum?

[Post Count Padder]

That is such a badass graphic for such annoyingly disappointing news.

[Bertz]

54 minutes ago, Tangled Up in Plaid said:

the fact that's it's retroactive maybe gives hope it will be the minimum?

I'm also hoping that it being so last minute they didn't even get someone in the building to replace him for today's game is a sign that it was something they were hoping would just nag him for a few days.

[Bertz]

Hopefully means this is a weeks injury and not a months injury 

Still gonna have to white knuckle it with the RHP section of the pen for a while.  I suspect we see a lot of 2-3 inning saves from Brown and Assad.

 

[Rcal10]

Who are they bringing up? Are they just going to wait on Boyd? 

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

3 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

Who are they bringing up? Are they just going to wait on Boyd? 

i don't think so, boyd isn't gonna pitch until wednesday

[Rcal10]

1 minute ago, Tangled Up in Plaid said:

i don't think so, boyd isn't gonna pitch until wednesday

There isn’t a guy in the minors worth bringing up. 

[Tangled Up in Plaid]

2 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

There isn’t a guy in the minors worth bringing up. 

you always can use an extra sacrificial lamb

[Rcal10]

4 minutes ago, Tangled Up in Plaid said:

you always can use an extra sacrificial lamb

I think they have a spot in the 40 man, so anyone can come up. Maybe they bring up Sanders for a start and put Assad in the pen. 🤷 I imagine when Boyd comes back Assad goes to the pen. 

[We Got The Whole 9]

Call up Pedro and just bludgeon teams to death lol