Cubs activate Daniel Palencia, option Javier Assad amidst flurry of roster moves

'Hey Siri. Play La Gasolina.' That's right, Chicago Cubs fans, Daniel Palencia is back.

The Chicago Cubs activated Daniel Palencia off the injured list ahead of Friday's series opener against the Seattle Mariners, adding a high-velocity option to the late-inning mix. Repeated savior Javier Assad is headed back to Triple-A Iowa until the next time he's needed and new addition Gabriel Arias was added to the roster, taking the place of Owen Miller.

Palencia hasn't pitched since June 15 but prior to the injury, had largely picked up where he left off last fall as the Cubs' lockdown relief weapon. Multiple IL stints have derailed what many hoped would be a breakout season for the Venezuelan right-hander, who will return as an out-getter rather than the closer.

Jacob Webb has been brilliant as the team's new ninth-inning man, establishing himself as one of the team's biggest free agent steals in recent memory. I can't help but envision the possibility that we could have Justin Steele, Ben Brown, Palencia and Webb all ready to lock down games in September and October - and all I can say is: inject that directly into my veins.

Assad, through no fault of his own, heads back to Iowa strictly because the Cubs want a fresh arm and he's got options remaining. I cannot stress this enough: he has been tremendous this season and it's scary to think where the staff might have been without him.

Cubs opt for plus defense in adding Gabriel Arias to the 26-man roster

The Cubs claimed Arias off waivers from the New York Mets and the corresponding roster move doesn't really come as a surprise. He adds plus defense up the middle, giving Chicago some insurance behind Pedro Ramirez and Nico Hoerner with Dansby Swanson sidelined with his oblique injury.

Matt Shaw is set to return soon and my guess is he replaces James Triantos when that day comes given they profile similarly, so Craig Counsell will have plenty of depth to keep his regulars fresh down the stretch. But for now, the story is Palencia and what he might bring to the Cubs' bullpen.

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