The Cubs’ bullpen suffered a blow on Monday, as closer Daniel Palencia was placed on the 15-day injured list with a right shoulder strain. Right-hander Ethan Roberts was recalled from Triple-A Iowa in a corresponding move.
Palencia exited during the ninth inning of Chicago’s 6-3 loss to the Nationals on Sunday after throwing a 100.4 mph fastball inside to Nationals first baseman Andrés Chaparro. Palencia grimaced as he finished his motion, then hunched over with his back facing the plate and let his glove hit the ground.
There was a “very small” issue similar to this for Palencia “maybe a couple months ago,” according to Cubs manager Craig Counsell. However, that only lasted for a day, and “he’s been good ever since.” As far as Counsell knew while sitting at the podium during the postgame press conference, this particular injury happened on that pitch to Chaparro, and the frustration was clear.
Palencia, who took over as closer in May after Ryan Pressly got removed from the role and Porter Hodge went on the injured list, has a 3.00 ERA and 22 saves in 24 opportunities this season. But since notching a save on Aug. 1, Palencia has had an 8.74 ERA in 14 outings.
