Cubs' postseason pitching staff will get a much-needed boost this week

As the Chicago Cubs hold their breath on the status of All-Star outfielder Kyle Tucker, who hasn't appeared in a game since Labor Day weekend, they did get one bit of good news on the injury front, courtesy of rehabbing closer Daniel Palencia.

The flamethrowing right-hander made a rehab appearance over the weekend with Triple-A Iowa and checked all the boxes the team was keeping an eye on. He headed back to Chicago and is expected to be with the team this week at Wrigley Field as the Cubs close out the regular season with series against the Mets and Cardinals.

“He’ll rejoin us,” manager Craig Counsell said, “and we’ll figure out activation.”

Palencia is looking to put the finishing touches on a breakout 2025 campaign, one in which he finally got past the bulk of his control issues (7.4 BB/9 in 2024, 2.8 BB/9 in 2025) and emerged as a legitimate late-inning weapon. Having him back would be a huge boost for a Cubs team looking to end the year on a high note and lock down the top wild card spot.

Daniel Palencia needs to get into game action before the postseason

As is the case with Tucker, Counsell wants to see Palencia back in game action before the Wild Card Series kicks off next week. You not only want to see that he's 100 percent healthy, but that he's dialed in and effective before you slot him back into the ninth-inning role that's been kept warm by Andrew Kitredge and Brad Keller of late.

In an ideal world, Palencia returns and handles closing duties, if for no other reason than because it allows Counsell to flex Keller in and out of high-leverage spots as his go-to fireman in the postseason. He's been one of the most effective relievers in all of baseball this year, so boxing him into a ninth-inning role feels like you're selling yourself short in a best-of-three wild-card round.

His last time on the mound - the save situation where he allowed five runs without recording an out against Washington - Palencia's velocity was down, and it looked like he might be done for the year. But now, that no longer appears to be the case, with the 25-year-old looking to bring La Gasolina to October baseball.