The Cubs bullpen just got its closer back. Chicago activated Daniel Palencia off the 60-day injured list ahead of a series against the Mariners in Seattle, ending a nearly two-month absence caused by a right elbow flexor strain that first sidelined him on June 16.
Palencia wrapped up his rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on a strong note, allowing just one hit and striking out 3 of the 4 batters he faced in his final tune-up. That's exactly the kind of swing-and-miss stuff that made him Chicago's primary closer in the first place before the elbow issue knocked him out.
The bigger question now is what role he actually steps back into. Jacob Webb took over closing duties in Palencia's absence and has been lights-out, converting 7 straight save chances while not allowing a run over his last 23 appearances. That's not a guy Craig Counsell is eager to bump out of the ninth inning just because the previous closer is healthy again.
So don't expect Palencia to walk straight back into save opportunities. More likely, the Cubs ease him back in with lower-leverage work before sorting out the pecking order — a good problem to have with a bullpen this deep heading into the final stretch of the season.
Still, adding a hard-throwing arm with closer experience back to the mix down the stretch is a real boost for a team fighting for playoff positioning. Whether Palencia ends up closing again or setting up, Chicago's bullpen just got noticeably scarier.