Chicago Cubs

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.

Assad logged his first career save Saturday in a three-inning appearance — a long save that suggests the Cubs deployed him in an unusual spot rather than the traditional ninth-inning role. Jacob Webb remains the primary closer with Daniel Palencia on the IL, but Assad's performance keeps this situation fluid heading into the August 3 deadline. Monitor for any Cubs bullpen additions that could reshuffle the hierarchy.

Webb remains Chicago's primary save option with Daniel Palencia (elbow) on the IL and no clear return date. He's converted multiple saves in the interim and the Cubs have enough offense to generate ninth-inning situations. The trade deadline is the wildcard — Chicago is actively shopping for pitching, and any bullpen addition could reshape the hierarchy. Add in 14-team-plus formats until Palencia returns or a deadline move changes the math.

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.

With Daniel Palencia on the IL (elbow), Webb is Chicago's primary save option. He's converted multiple saves in the role and the Cubs are competitive enough to generate save opportunities. Add him in 14-team-plus formats as a short-term hold until Palencia returns — which doesn't appear imminent.

Daniel Palencia (flexor strain) has had his return pushed to mid-August, meaning Webb continues as the leading ninth-inning option for Chicago. Webb has 2 saves and 7+ consecutive scoreless innings, but Trent Thornton and Grant Taylor have also converted saves this season. Manager Craig Counsell has not officially named Webb the closer, and a bad outing could open the door quickly. Own Webb in 12-team leagues and above; the Cubs' committee is live but Webb holds the edge.

Daniel Palencia (flexor strain, IL since June 16) has had his expected early-August return pushed to mid-August. Webb has been Counsell's first option with 2 saves and 7.1 consecutive scoreless innings, but Trent Thornton and Caleb Thielbar are also in the mix. Webb is the leading candidate but carries command concerns that keep the hold loose.

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.

Four saves since Daniel Palencia went on the IL in mid-June, and Craig Counsell has been leaning on Webb most — but Trent Thornton and Caleb Thielbar have both pitched ninth-inning situations. Committee is real. Cubs are buyers heading into August 3, meaning acquiring an established closer would push Webb out overnight. Speculative hold only.

Three saves since Daniel Palencia went on the IL in mid-June and Craig Counsell's current preference, but Trent Thornton and Caleb Thielbar both pitch in ninth-inning situations. Cubs are buyers at the deadline — acquiring an established closer would render Webb irrelevant overnight. Speculative hold only.

Three saves since Daniel Palencia went on the IL in mid-June; Craig Counsell's current preference, but Trent Thornton and Caleb Thielbar are also getting ninth-inning looks. Cubs are buyers at the deadline — a closer acquisition could make Webb irrelevant overnight.

Three saves since Daniel Palencia went on the IL in mid-June and is Craig Counsell's current preference, but Trent Thornton and Caleb Thielbar are also getting ninth-inning looks. Add with caution.

Palencia (elbow, IL-15) is expected back post-break and will reclaim the role immediately. Until then, Webb leads the committee over Thornton and Thielbar with 4 saves and a 3.18 ERA. Add in daily-move leagues; avoid in weekly formats — Palencia's return could come any day.

Palencia (elbow, IL-15) won't be activated immediately post-break. Webb has 3 saves over three weeks but shares the bullpen with Trent Thornton and Caleb Thielbar. Manager Counsell has shown willingness to go to other arms. Worth rostering in leagues with daily moves; riskier in weekly formats.

Webb is the primary option in the Cubs' ninth inning with Palencia out (mild flexor strain, not back until post-break), and he has responded with four saves and no runs allowed over his last 7.1 innings. The problem: 15 walks in 39.2 innings on the season, and the walk issues resurface in high-leverage spots. Worth rostering in 14+ team saves-hungry leagues, but every outing carries blown-save risk.

Webb has become the primary option in the Cubs' closer committee with Daniel Palencia sidelined since mid-June. At 5% owned, this is a free saves source in every format. Thornton steals occasional road appearances, so Webb isn't a lock — but he's the preferred option and the cost is zero.

Primary closer in the Cubs' post-Palencia committee alongside Trent Thornton. Three saves in four chances since mid-June — Webb gets the home-game edge, Thornton steals road appearances. Add Webb in all formats at 5% owned. Thornton is worth stashing in 14+ team leagues as a secondary source.

The lefty has quietly strung together four straight quality outings of 6+ innings with three wins in his last four decisions. He won't pile up strikeouts, but his efficiency and ground-ball tendencies minimize damage and eat innings. Strong streaming option through the All-Star break.

Daniel Palencia (elbow) is confirmed out through the All-Star break, leaving Webb as the leading save option in Chicago's bullpen committee. He leads the group with three saves and has converted his opportunities cleanly, but Trent Thornton and Caleb Thielbar are also in the closer mix. Add Webb in 12-team-plus leagues while Palencia remains out — the Leverage Ledger numbers make him the clear first option when the Cubs protect a late lead.

Daniel Palencia remains on the 15-day IL with right elbow inflammation. Manager Craig Counsell is using a committee of Webb, Caleb Thielbar, Ryan Rolison, and Phil Maton for ninth-inning work, with Rolison earning his first career save July 1. Webb leads the group in save opportunities but the committee nature limits reliability. Stream in the deepest of formats only.

Daniel Palencia has been on the 15-day IL since June 16 with right elbow inflammation and has no clear return date. Manager Craig Counsell continues a matchup-based committee with Webb, Caleb Thielbar, and Phil Maton all seeing ninth-inning work. Webb leads the trio in save opportunities and is the clearest single name to own in Chicago, but the committee nature limits week-to-week reliability. Roster in 14+ team leagues; acceptable streaming option in standard formats on favorable matchups.

Daniel Palencia has been on the 15-day IL since June 16 with right elbow inflammation and has no clear return date. Manager Craig Counsell is running a matchup-based committee with Webb, Caleb Thielbar, and Phil Maton all seeing ninth-inning work. Webb leads the trio with two saves since Palencia went down. In 14+ team leagues he's the best single name to own, but monitor usage daily before locking anyone in as a reliable save source.

Daniel Palencia went to the 15-day IL on June 16 with right elbow inflammation and there's no clear return date. Manager Craig Counsell is running a matchup-based committee — Webb leads with two saves since Palencia went down, but Caleb Thielbar and Phil Maton are also in the mix. In 14+ team leagues, Webb is the best single-name grab, but monitor usage daily before locking anyone in.

Daniel Palencia remains on the 15-day IL with right elbow inflammation (placed June 16, no clear return date). Webb is the front-runner but Caleb Thielbar and Phil Maton have both converted opportunities. The Cubs have produced limited save chances, making this even harder to navigate. Only carry one Cubs reliever in standard formats — two is dead weight given how unpredictable the distribution has been.

Daniel Palencia remains on the 15-day IL with right elbow inflammation with no clear return timeline. Webb is the nominal front-runner but Caleb Thielbar and Phil Maton have both converted opportunities in his absence. The Cubs have generated limited save chances overall. Don't roster more than one piece of this committee in standard formats — the distribution is genuinely unpredictable.