Cubs Will Change Daniel Palencia's Role When He Returns

The Chicago Cubs enjoyed a series win over the Chicago White Sox in part two of the Crosstown Classic this week, and the team is starting to heat up in a way that inspires confidence for a playoff run once October comes.

But between now and then, there will still be a lot of turnover when it comes to the Cubs pitching staff. We've already seen it over the last few days, with Edward Cabrera being activated off the IL before being swiftly placed back on the IL with a middle finger blister after getting shelled Sunday afternoon by the Cardinals.

Javier Assad has been up and down between Chicago and Triple-A Iowa. He and David Peterson have both been in the starting rotation, and the bullpen, and everywhere in between.

Things are only going to change more with pitchers like Ben Brown and Daniel Palencia eventually returning from injury. But when Palencia returns, it's already being reported that the Cubs are looking to change his role.

Palencia was the Cubs' primary closer last season. He saved 22 games and posted a 2.91 ERA over 54 appearances. All 22 of those saves came after May 21, once Palencia got regular opportunities in the ninth inning.

Heading into 2026, he was in line for a similar role, but he only recorded three saves over his first 19 appearances of the 2026 season, with his last one coming on May 14. On June 16, he was placed on the IL with right elbow inflammation and has been down ever since.

Meanwhile, Jacob Webb has settled into the closing role for the Cubs recently. Webb has been Craig Counsell's go-to high-leverage relief pitcher, and he's recorded a save or a win in each of his last six outings.

There has been some question about how the Cubs would resolve this issue once Palencia returns, and Counsell clarified things this week when he spoke to the media. The Cubs are expected to activate Palencia in the next few days, but the immediate plan is for him to serve as an out-getter in the bullpen without a defined role.

This is exactly how Chicago used Palencia during the 2025 postseason. He appeared in six games, but never pitched in an inning later than the seventh, putting together a scoreless appearance in five of his six opportunities.

There's a history of success here, and it's a modern philosophy used by some MLB managers. Take your high-leverage arms and use them in big spots with runners on base. The postseason (and a division race) is all hands on deck. And there's no point in saving a pitcher like Palencia for a save situation if you don't have the lead late.

After some early concerns during his rehab outing, largely because he didn't have his control and, in the words of Counsell, "wasn't sharp," Palencia has settled in nicely. He's thrown two scoreless innings over his last two appearances, including an inning with Triple-A Iowa on Sunday in which he struck out the side.

Expect Palencia to join the Cubs roster before the end of the week and immediately be inserted into his new role.