Palencia is BACK. Daniel Palencia, the guy who was money as closer in 2025 despite battling some injuries, just got activated from the injured list by the Cubs today. This is a crucial return for a bullpen that’s seen him sidelined multiple times this season.
Palencia’s Bullpen Comeback: From Closer to “Out-Getter”
We all know Palencia’s had a rough go with injuries this year, first an oblique strain, then a flexor injury. Brutal. But after grinding through five rehab outings, with the last two looking pretty sharp, he’s ready to roll. Here’s the kicker, though: don’t expect him to slide right back into the closer role. Manager Craig Counsell is bringing him back as what he calls an “out-getter,” a guy who can come in and get outs in whatever situation the team needs. This year, in the 19 MLB games he’s played, Palencia’s put up a 2.70 ERA and a 1.380 WHIP, grabbed three saves, and struck out 19 batters in 16.2 innings. Those are solid numbers, so getting that arm back, even in a different role, is a welcome boost.
Roster Moves: Assad Heads Down, Arias Joins the Infield
To clear space for Palencia on the 26-man active roster, the Cubs made a tough call, optioning right-hander Javier Assad to Triple-A Iowa. Nobody likes to see a player go down, but with roster expansions coming Sept. 1, there’s a good chance Assad will be back in the big leagues soon. Plus, the Cubs beefed up the infield by adding Gabriel Arias, who they snatched off waivers from the Mets on Wednesday. To make room for Arias, infielder Owen Miller was designated for assignment. It looks like Miller will likely clear waivers and probably get a chance to stay in the organization. These are the kinds of moves that keep the roster fresh and ready for anything.
With the game preview set to drop at 7 p.m. CT tonight, you know every eye will be on how these new roster dynamics play out. Will Palencia seamlessly transition into his “out-getter” role? How quickly can Arias make an impact in the infield? It’s all happening tonight, and you better believe we’re watching every pitch to see what comes next.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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