The Cubs injury list now includes their closer.
Daniel Palencia was added to the 15-day injured list with an oblique strain on Friday.
Palencia, who wasn’t needed in the Cubs’ 12-4 thrashing of the Mets, aided Venezuela to the World Baseball Classic championship before the regular season, and entered the 2026 campaign riding high.
The 26-year-old now joins a long Cubs IL that includes fellow pitchers Matthew Boyd, Phil Maton, Porter Hodge, Hunter Harvey, Jordan Wicks, Ethan Roberts, Justin Steele, Shelby Miller and Cade Horton, along with first baseman Tyler Austin.
Even the team’s No. 1 prospect, pitcher Jaxon Wiggins, is on the IL with right elbow inflammation.
“I felt something weird there,” Palencia said following a bullpen session early Friday. “It got a little tight. Just trying to be smart. Hopefully, I’ll be ready soon.”
Cubs manager Craig Counsell hinted at further testing to determine the exact seriousness of the injury.
“If it lingers, yes, we will,” Counsell said of potential imaging for Palenica. “The fact that his bullpen went well, gives us some optimism. I don’t think he’d be able to do that with a high-grade strain, but we’ll know more in the coming days.”
Palencia became the team’s closer last season, logging 22 saves with 61 strikeouts in 52 2/3 innings with a 2.91 ERA.
He began this season with similar ferocity, having yet to allow a run through five innings, recording one save and five strikeouts against two walks.
During the WBC, Palencia pitched five perfect innings with three saves and nine strikeouts to just one walk.
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