Chicago Cubs’ Reliever Palencia Makes Impactful Return

Daniel Palencia couldn’t hide his delight on Sunday. After spending eight weeks on the injured list, the Chicago Cubs reliever delivered a standout performance on Saturday against the Cincinnati Reds. Hitting triple digits on the radar once more, Palencia displayed the dominance expected from the bullpen. In two perfect innings, he struck out three of the six batters, marking a significant milestone in his recovery journey.

Since his return on August 21, Palencia has gradually improved his form over ten appearances. In the game against the Reds, his fastball averaged 99.5 mph and reached 100.6 mph. Reflecting on his performance, Palencia stated, “I’ve been feeling in a good spot with a lot of confidence right now. I wasn’t trying to throw hard on Saturday. When I saw the velocity, I was like, ‘OK, I’m feeling good.’ Just confidence and trying to execute my pitches. I feel like myself. I’m just trying to be me.”

With only six regular-season games left, manager Craig Counsell’s attention will be closely on the bullpen. The Cubs edge closer to clinching a wild-card playoff spot, possible with a win against the Miami Marlins or an Arizona Diamondbacks loss. “I really believe that through this last week of the season, we’ve got to find out about our bullpen,” Counsell emphasized. “This was a good step in that direction.”

The Cubs’ bullpen has struggled this season, ranking 28th in fWAR at minus-0.8 and holding a 3.91 ERA, positioned 14th in the MLB. Injuries pushed the team to adapt; offseason signings largely fell short. For instance, Hunter Harvey played only four innings in April before a triceps injury sidelined him for the season. Meanwhile, Phil Maton’s knee issue led to season-ending surgery. Signed for two years, he’ll aim to recover from his 6.18 ERA over 31 appearances by 2027.

Hoby Milner’s recovery from appendectomy surgery coincided with the Cubs opting to continue with other left-handed pitchers. Jacob Webb, on a two-year contract earning $1.5 million this year, leads with nine saves. Without a tenth, the Cubs could join a select group of teams reaching the postseason without a double-digit save pitcher.

Palencia’s season was affected by an early oblique injury and then a flexor strain. His recent performance highlights his potential to significantly contribute in the playoffs. “That’s the Danny Palencia we know,” catcher Carson Kelly praised. Kelly noted that getting back to form takes time, adding, “The velocity of the heater, the breaking balls he was throwing— everything was really sharp.”

Beyond velocity, Palencia’s confidence was evident when he employed a splitter pitch against Reds’ Elly De La Cruz with an 0-2 count. Despite limited use this year, his choice showed maturity. “It shows the maturity and the growth that he’s had,” Kelly commented. Palencia, 26, embodies a balance of youth and progression, steadily enhancing his game with each season.

Securing Palencia’s performance could significantly benefit the Cubs’ bullpen strategies. “That’s why you want to get guys out there as much as you can,” Counsell explained, emphasizing not to judge solely on one outing. He added, “The recency stuff matters a little more, but also the body of work doesn’t disappear. We’ve got some guys with really good bodies of work and we’ve got some really talented players that you trust.”