Daniel Palencia

Cubs manager Craig Counsell would not provide a timetable for Daniel Palencia to return.

Fantasy Impact

Palencia was placed on the injured list on Friday. He felt good after a morning bullpen but couldn’t get through conditioning afterwards.

The Cubs placed Daniel Palencia on the 15-day injured list with a left oblique strain.

Fantasy Impact

Palencia becomes the fourth Cubs reliever to land on the injured list already this season. It is possible the Cubs go to more of a committee approach for saves in their bullpen.

Daniel Palencia recorded his first save of the season in game one of Sunday's doubleheader against Cleveland as he pitched a perfect ninth in Chicago's 1-0 victory in the opener.

Fantasy Impact

Palencia finally got his first save opportunity of the year and he retired the Guardians in order, with one strikeout, on just 13 pitches to preserve a 1-0 win. Palencia was 22-of-25 in save opportunities last season with the Cubs and looks to surpass that total in 2026. He has pitched three scoreless innings in three appearances for Chicago this season.

Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell confirmed on Wednesday that Daniel Palencia will be the team's closer to open the season.

Fantasy Impact

Palencia broke out in 2025, posting a 2.91 ERA and 1.14 WHIP with 61 strikeouts and 16 walks across 52.2 innings. He converted 22 of 25 save opportunities and will handle ninth-inning duties to open the season. He is typically the 18th relief pitcher off the board in fantasy drafts, offering solid value, especially pitching on a team that won 92 games in 2025.

The Cubs have activated Daniel Palencia (shoulder) from the 15-day IL.

Fantasy Impact

Palencia will return after landing on the IL in early September with a shoulder strain. Palencia will likely get a few opportunities to enter a game before gearing up for the postseason.