Cubs Don't Expect Daniel Palencia To Return Soon

There was some optimism a few weeks ago that the Chicago Cubs were going to get back closer Daniel Palencia shortly after the All-Star break. 

Palencia went on the 15-day injured list back on June 16 due to right elbow inflammation. He was then eventually diagnosed with a mild flexor strain in his elbow and was shut down from throwing for a few weeks.  

The good news, though, was that Palencia seemed to be making some solid progress before the All-Star break. He started a throwing program in late June, and doing plyo work was the first step in his recovery build-up. 

However, the Cubs will not be getting back Palencia for quite some time. 

The Venezuelan closer has not made any progress since starting his throwing program a few weeks ago. He has had to repeat some steps in his recovery ramp-up and is not “moving forward.” 

Not moving forward in his recovery is definitely not great news for Palencia. He should have been further along in his recovery process and was expected to be back in early August. That just won’t be the case anymore. 

The earliest that he could be back is mid-August, but that all depends on how Palencia progresses moving forward. The Cubs will definitely keep a close eye on his recovery over the next few weeks. 

With Palencia set to be out for at least another month, the Cubs have a clear need at the closer position. That could force them to be aggressive at this year’s trade deadline to acquire a much-needed ninth-inning arm. 

The Cubs should already be looking to trade for multiple high-leverage relievers as they look toward the postseason. Palencia's recent setback gives them more incentive to go after a quality reliever at the August 3rd deadline. 

Palencia has no doubt been a really good closer for the Cubs since taking over that role early last season. The 26-year-old has a combined 2.86 ERA, 80 strikeouts, and 25 saves across 69 ⅓ innings pitched over the last two years. 

But Cubs fans have also seen Palencia thrive in high-leverage situations outside of save opportunities. Remember the 2025 postseason, when he pitched in key spots when the team needed him. He threw a scoreless appearance in six of his seven outings in last year’s playoffs. 

The Cubs are hoping that Palencia will be back sometime in the middle of next month. Getting him back will obviously boost a Chicago bullpen that has struggled for most of the last month.