Chicago Cubs: Palencia facing uncertain future as Cubs closer

The Chicago Cubs, coming off the heels of a nice trade deadline haul, now find themselves staring down a pleasant dilemma when it comes to their pitching staff.

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The team added Kevin Gausman, Clay Holmes, Braxton Garrett, and Ryan Zeferjahn before the August 3 deadline to fortify a staff that had been stressed and strained by injury. At the same time, however, some of the Cubs on the shelf are starting to work their way back to the major league roster.

With a staff soon to be overloaded with viable options, the Cubs will soon have to make some difficult decisions.

For closer Daniel Palencia, those decision may involve some tough news.

The closer competition

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With the Cubs acquiring closer-capable reliever Zeferjahn—and using him in that kind of late-inning role twice already since bringing him aboard—it’s clear that the team, at the very least, is looking for a viable Plan B to Palencia as the closer. You don’t trade away two quality prospects like Moises Ballesteros and Mason McGwire for a reliever under team control through 2030 if you don’t anticipate big things for him.

An unexpected possible addition to the late-inning mix is also offseason pickup Shelby Miller, who was signed to a two-year deal as a free agent with the understanding that 2026 would be a year fully spent rehabbing after elbow surgery. But Miller is reportedly further along in his recovery than anyone had anticipated, already touching 95 to 97 mph with his four-seamer in Arizona. There’s very real talk now that the veteran, who has some late-inning save experience, could pitch for the Cubs before season’s end.

Current de facto closer Jacob Webb, meanwhile, has earned the right to be a show-closer after stepping up to that role as last man standing in the bullpen following the rash of injuries.

One also can’t overlook the possible late-season return of guys like Ben Brown, Justin Steele, and Hunter Harvey who could be impact bullpen assets.

New role for Palencia?

With the new competition crowding around the closer spot, Palencia is facing a reality where he’s no long THE man to close out Cubs games when he gets back to Chicago. Manager Craig Counsell is taking a definite wait-and-see approach to his role upon return.

“I think initially when Daniel comes back, we’re certainly going to be flexible with when he pitches,” Counsell told media. “Just get him into some appearances. If we get to a place where we’re kind of getting more defined, great. If we don’t, great.”

The hard-throwing 26-year-old righty is currently working through his second stint on the IL this season, rehabbing from elbow issues that have had him out of commission since mid-June.

On Wednesday, he had his first rehab outing for the Triple-A Iowa Cubs. Pitching against the Indianapolis Indians, Palencia allowed one earned run in two-thirds of an inning. In the 22-pitch appearance, he allowed one hit and walked two while striking out one.

It wasn’t a great outing, but it was the kind of showing to be expected in a pitcher’s first rehab appearance. Most important, though, was the fact that Palencia emerged without any arm issues.

“We know with Danny, that’s going to come pretty quickly as he continues to gain confidence,” Cubs pitching coach Tommy Hottovy told The Athletic. “The most important thing: He felt good and felt strong coming out of it. That checked a big box in my head and his head coming off the arm stuff.”

Now, when he gets back to the majors, it looks like he’ll have to go right back and try to win his old closer spot.

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