Overview
- The Cubs said Daniel Palencia completed a rehab outing for Triple-A Iowa in St. Paul and could rejoin the big-league club within days.
- Manager Craig Counsell indicated Palencia will not jump straight back into the closer job and will first focus on building workload and getting outs.
- Palencia’s rehab line included two-thirds of an inning with one strikeout, one hit, and no walks in his Iowa appearance.
- Team leaders described a strained staff with nine pitchers lost to various injuries since spring, and they are exploring small deals to add arms while injured players work back.
- Key context includes season-ending Tommy John surgeries for Cade Horton and Porter Hodge, a flexor strain that has delayed Justin Steele’s return, a 20-12 start, and Palencia’s 22 saves in 2025 with no runs allowed in limited 2026 work before the IL.