Daniel Palencia Will Be Activated Friday as ‘Out-Getter’
Daniel Palencia was recently placed on the 60-day IL in what was merely a procedural move to clear a temporary spot on the 40-man roster. He was eligible to come off as of the 16th, but the Cubs had a little extra time because of the break on Thursday. As such, the plan is for him to be activated on Friday in Seattle.
Ed. note: In a rushed attempt at gallows humor, the note on Palencia’s IL placement the other day floated as well as a lead balloon. Sleep deprivation and laziness don’t produce good results.
Rather than have him resume his role as closer, Craig Counsell said on Tuesday that Palencia will serve as an out-getter as the situation dictates. Pitching coach Tommy Hottovy joined The Score’s Mully & Haugh Wednesday morning to discuss the pending activation and how the Cubs view Palencia as a weapon moving forward.
“The timing is still kinda up in the air on what day he’ll be back, but it’s gonna be close here,” Hottovy said. “And then when we get him back, we’re gonna get back a high-octane arm, a high-leverage reliever, a guy we obviously know can pitch in big moments, but also a guy that we need to get rolling…
“We don’t have to save him for the closer, the save situations. We’re gonna get him some work, we’re gonna get him some consistent games. Probably gonna use him earlier in games, in some bigger moments, just to get him on a run.”
That’s very good news for a bullpen that is starting to find its legs with Jacob Webb handling the 9th inning most nights. In other good news for the bullpen, Ben Brown is slated to face live hitters in Arizona on Friday. If that goes well, he could be sent on a rehab assignment in the near future. With the rotation full and not much time to ramp up, Brown should essentially be used the same way as Palencia.
The same goes for Edward Cabrera, will be used in shorter bursts once he recovers from this latest blister issue. Justin Steele should begin facing live batters as well, though his return feels a little less likely with each passing day. Same for Hunter Harvey, who has been out since early in the season and has seen his rehab trend in the wrong direction. Maybe the whole “too much of a good thing” problem won’t be as complicated after all.
