Chicago Cubs lose another pitcher to IL as closer Daniel Palencia goes down

The Chicago Cubs are going through a seriously major “when it rains, it pours” stretch of bad luck when it comes to their pitching staff.

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On Friday, the Cubs announced that they were placing closer Daniel Palencia on the 15-day IL (retroactive to April 14) with a left oblique strain.

The injury itself is, of course, bad news. Palencia has been killing it so far this year, coming off a dominant showing as part of Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic he’s been lights-out as the team’s back-of-bullpen presence.

The tricky nature of oblique injuries

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However, the nature of his injury gives plenty of cause for concern over whether the crucial piece of the Cubs bullpen puzzle will be able to make a quick and successful return to the team.

Oblique strains are notoriously tricky injuries from which to recover and setbacks are common. Last year, for example, pitcher Javier Assad suffered through two separate bouts with an oblique strain and didn’t make his season debut at the big league level until August 12.

For a pitcher like Palencia, who throws hard and pushes through a greater degree of extension, full rehabilitation could be even more complicated. Of course, his timetable for a comeback also depends on the severity of his injury. So, it’s hard to make a true assessment until all details are in.

In five outings/five innings so far this season, the 26-year-old righty flame thrower has yet to allow an earned run. He’s also struck out 5 in those five innings. Although he’s only had one save so far this year, he was expected to play a huge role in the Cubs’ expected run deep into the playoffs.

Riding through the bad luck

Now, the future comes into question amid an absolute tidal wave of gut punches to a pitching staff that was lauded for its depth and versatility throughout the offseason.

Cade Horton, the 24-year-old emerging ace, suffered an elbow injury in just his second start of the year and has undergone season-ending surgery. Right after Horton’s fall, Opening Day starter Matthew Boyd was placed on the 15-day IL with a left biceps strain.

Then, the bullpen got in on the misfortune.

Phil Maton went on the shelf with right knee tendonitis. Hunter Harvey was put on the 15-day IL with right triceps inflammation. The recently-recalled Ethan Roberts saw himself shipped off to the IL after a freak finger laceration. Then, it was announced that Porter Hodge would be having his own season-ending elbow surgery.

To make matters even worse, top pitching prospect Jaxon Wiggins was recently placed on the IL in Iowa with right elbow inflammation.

Now, Palencia goes down.

And all of this within a span of about three weeks.

The Cubs front office will now have to scramble and find some suitable replacements and/or fill-ins for all these losses. Buzz abounds regarding possible trade targets and free agent pick-ups, but nothing is beyond the rumor stage at this point.

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Source: https://www.chicitysports.com/chicago-cubs-daniel-palencia-injured-oblique/