URGENT UPDATE: The Chicago Cubs have placed closer Daniel Palencia on the 15-day injured list following a troubling right shoulder strain. This decision comes just one day after his performance in a 6-3 loss to the Washington Nationals, where he faced five batters without recording an out, yielding two home runs, a triple, a single, and a walk.
Palencia, who has tallied 22 saves in 25 chances, showed signs of struggle during the game as his four-seam fastball averaged 98.5 mph, a dip of 1.1 mph from his season average. His splitter also saw a decrease, averaging 86.8 mph, down 1.3 mph. This performance raises concerns not only for the Cubs’ bullpen but also for their playoff aspirations.
Cubs manager Craig Counsell confirmed that Palencia will remain with the team during their three-game series in Atlanta while undergoing treatment. “We’re just going to get the treatment and see how it responds over the next couple of days and then go from there,” Counsell stated in a press briefing.
In a move to fill the gap, the Cubs have recalled Ethan Roberts from Triple-A Iowa. This strategic decision underscores the urgency for Chicago, who currently sits two games ahead of San Diego for the top spot in the National League wild card race.
As the situation develops, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely. Will Palencia recover in time to rejoin the team in a critical playoff push? Stay tuned for updates as this story unfolds.
