Daniel Palencia

Palencia has been on the 15-day IL with right elbow inflammation since mid-July and was expected to resume throwing after the All-Star break. Jacob Webb has been getting primary save opportunities in Chicago's ninth inning in his absence. No firm return date set, though a late-July or early-August return is plausible if the throwing program progresses.

Placed on the 15-day IL on June 16 with right elbow inflammation. Cubs will use a committee of Jacob Webb, Caleb Thielbar, and Phil Maton in his absence. No clear hierarchy has emerged yet.

Placed on the 15-day IL June 16 with right elbow inflammation — his second stint of the season. No clear return timeline given the repeat nature of the elbow issue. Jacob Webb leads the closer committee in his absence.

With Edward Cabrera on the IL and the Cubs' bullpen reshuffling, Daniel Palencia just grabbed a save opportunity behind his 99.1 mph average fastball. Pitcher List flags him as the Cubs' new closer-of-opportunity. The Cubs win enough close games that the volume potential is real, and at 5% rostered he's the cheapest path to a potential 8-10 saves over the next month. Top-30 RP rest of season ceiling if the role holds. Stash in 12+ team formats; aggressive add in 14+.

On a minor-league rehab stint for an elbow injury and could return soon. Whoever is holding down the Cubs' ninth should be dropped the moment Palencia's activation is announced — he'll reclaim the role.

On the 15-day IL with right elbow inflammation (flexor strain) and no clear return timeline. In his absence the Cubs are running Caleb Thielbar, Phil Maton, and Jacob Webb in the ninth — none with a defined closer pedigree. Chicago saves are essentially unownable until Palencia's elbow clarifies, and the deadline could bring in a veteran arm anyway.

Palencia is sharp and holds the Cubs' closer job — the problem is Chicago hasn't had a lead to protect during a 10-game losing streak. His last save was May 14. He's not losing the role; the Cubs are just not giving him the ball in the ninth. Hold if you have roster space; drop only if you're desperate.