Daniel Palencia
Breakdown
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August 21, 2026
Activated from IL
The Cubs activated Palencia (elbow) from the 60-day injured list Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Analysis
Palencia has been officially cleared to return from a nearly two-month absence due to a right elbow flexor strain, and he'll be available out of the bullpen for Friday's game against the Mariners. Palencia was the Cubs' closer prior to his injury, but he may be restricted to high-leverage situations in his return given how well Jacob Webb has pitched in save opportunities. In corresponding moves, Owen Miller was designated for assignment and Javier Assad was optioned to Triple-A Iowa.
August 19, 2026
On track for activation Friday
Palencia (elbow) will be reinstated from the 60-day injured list ahead of Friday's game in Seattle, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.
Analysis
The Cubs have deemed Palencia fit to rejoin the big club after he capped his five-appearance minor-league rehab assignment on a high note Sunday, when he gave up one hit and struck out three of the four batters he faced for Triple-A Iowa. Palencia had been serving as the Cubs' primary closer prior to landing on the shelf June 16 due to a right elbow flexor strain, but it's unclear if he'll immediately reclaim those duties upon his return. Jacob Webb has been lights out at the back of the Chicago bullpen, converting seven consecutive save chances while permitting no runs over his last 23 appearances.
August 18, 2026
Nearing return from IL
The Cubs are expected to activate Palencia (elbow) from the 60-day injured list in the coming days, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.
Analysis
The Cubs haven't committed to an exact date for Palencia to return from the IL, but manager Craig Counsell told reporters Tuesday the 26-year-old right-hander will be activated "soon." A right flexor strain has sidelined Palencia since mid-June, but he won't have a defined role upon his return, per Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com. It appears that, for now, the Cubs prefer keeping Jacob Webb as the main closer, with Palencia getting some work in high-leverage situations.
August 17, 2026
Shifts to 60-day IL
The Cubs transferred Palencia (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Monday, Vinnie Duber of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.
Analysis
The move appears to be a procedural one to open up a spot on the Cubs' 40-man roster for Owen Miller, whose contract was selected from Triple-A Iowa on Monday. Palencia has been on the shelf since mid-June due to a right flexor strain but was cleared to embark on a rehab assignment in early August. Across five minor-league outings, he's allowed five runs on two hits and six walks while striking out six across 4.1 innings. Palencia will need more rehab appearances before being cleared to return to the majors, where he's expected to reclaim his role as the Cubs' closer.