Daniel Palencia was in high spirits on Sunday. After spending eight weeks on the injured list, the Chicago Cubs reliever delivered his best performance in a month on Saturday against the Cincinnati Reds. Palencia consistently reached triple digits on the radar gun, showcasing the dominance the team had expected from him since last year. In two perfect innings, he struck out three of the six batters he faced, a critical step forward he had been working towards since returning from injury on August 21.
His fastball averaged 99.5 mph and peaked at 100.6 mph against the Reds. Palencia remarked, “I’ve been feeling in a good spot with a lot of confidence right now. I wasn’t trying to throw hard (Saturday). When I saw the (velocity), I was like, ‘OK, I’m feeling good.’ Just confidence and trying to execute my pitches. I feel like myself. I’m just trying to be me.”
With only six games left in the regular season, manager Craig Counsell is focusing on the bullpen. The Cubs can secure a wild-card playoff spot Tuesday with a win over the Miami Marlins or if the Arizona Diamondbacks lose to the Colorado Rockies.
Chicago Cubs pitcher Daniel Palencia delivers during the ninth inning of a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field on Sunday, September 13, 2026. (Arthur Maiorella/Chicago Tribune)
“I really believe that through this last week of the season, we’ve got to find out about our bullpen,” Counsell said. “We’ve got to find out about guys down there, and this was a good step in that direction.”
This focus is crucial for the Cubs, who entered Monday with a 28th-ranked bullpen fWAR of minus-0.8 and a 3.91 ERA, placing them 14th in MLB rankings. Injuries have led the Cubs to adapt roles as offseason relief acquisitions fell short. Hunter Harvey managed only four innings in April before a triceps issue sidelined him for the year. Phil Maton, dealing with a recurring knee problem, underwent season-ending surgery and aims to recover for the 2027 season. Hoby Milner’s appendectomy left him out when he was ready to return, leading the Cubs to stick with Caleb Thielbar and Ryan Rolison.
Jacob Webb, signed to a two-year deal, leads the team with nine saves. If no other saves are recorded, the Cubs would join a rare group, with only four teams since 1969 reaching the postseason without a pitcher achieving 10 saves, as indicated by Elias Sports Bureau. This situation last occurred for the Cubs in 1971.
Palencia’s earlier oblique injury and subsequent absence due to a flexor strain disrupted what could have been a successful season. His performance on Saturday was exactly what the Cubs need as they push towards the playoffs. “That’s the Danny Palencia we know,” said catcher Carson Kelly. “When you have an extended period of time out, it takes a little bit to get your feet back. For him, (Saturday) was big. The velocity of the heater, the delivery, and the breaking balls — everything was sharp.”
Palencia’s confidence was evident when he threw a splitter during a critical 0-2 count to the Reds’ Elly De La Cruz, striking him out looking. Despite using the splitter sparingly this year (6% usage), his choice to use it at that moment demonstrated growth. “It shows the maturity and the growth that he’s had,” Kelly remarked. “He’s 26, still young, but you’re seeing him make these strides. As a player, every year you make these strides, you get the whole package.”
Seeing this version of Palencia during the stretch run would significantly enhance the Cubs’ bullpen options. “That’s why you want to get guys out there as much as possible, so you’re not making decisions on one outing,” Counsell stated. “We shouldn’t do that. While recent performances carry more weight, the body of work remains important. We have players with solid performance records to rely on.”