Palencia’s Elbow Gives Cubs a Sudden Bullpen Problem — Here’s the New Closer Plan

The Chicago Cubs didn’t just head into Tuesday’s game against the Colorado Rockies with a routine lineup swap. They lost a reliever who had quietly become one of their most reliable arms out of the bullpen.

Daniel Palencia is headed to the 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation, the team announced just hours before first pitch. The 26-year-old right-hander suffered the injury during Monday’s 5-4 win over the Rockies, a game where he tossed a clean inning with three strikeouts, one walk, and zero earned runs. On paper, it looked like just another effective outing. In reality, it was his last for at least the next two weeks.

The Cubs recalled right-hander Gavin Hollowell to take Palencia’s spot on the active roster. The team confirmed the move via a brief statement: “Roster update: Gavin Hollowell recalled. Daniel Palencia placed on 15-day injured list with right elbow inflammation.”

A Career Year Put on Hold

Palencia was in the middle of what looked like his best professional season. Through 16.2 innings in the 2026 campaign, the four-year veteran posted a 2.70 ERA — a career-best — along with a 1.380 WHIP, 19 strikeouts, and three saves. That kind of production doesn’t just help a bullpen; it stabilizes the late innings. The Cubs had already lost him earlier this year to an oblique issue, and now this elbow problem raises questions about how much they can count on him going forward.

This isn’t a minor setback for Chicago. The bullpen has been pieced together all season, and losing a pitcher who was trending upward introduces real uncertainty. According to reports, the club has not provided a specific timeline for Palencia’s return beyond the 15-day minimum, but elbow inflammation can be tricky. Recurrence is always a concern.

Hollowell Returns — But Can He Deliver?

Gavin Hollowell rejoins the big-league club after appearing in just one game this year. That outing was forgettable: he owns a career 5.94 ERA and 1.585 WHIP with 52 strikeouts across his MLB tenure. The Cubs are likely hoping he can eat middle-inning innings rather than high-leverage situations. But the bullpen shuffle doesn’t stop there.

With Palencia out, manager Craig Counsell will need to rearrange his late-game hierarchy. The early expectation is that Phil Maton will step into the closer role, at least for now. Maton has the experience and the stuff to handle ninth-inning duties. Left-hander Caleb Thielbar could also see save chances depending on matchups and availability. Ultimately, the rotation of arms in high-leverage spots will be Counsell’s call on a night-to-night basis.

For a Cubs team trying to stay competitive in the NL Central, losing a reliever who was performing at his career peak is a blow. The question now is whether Hollowell can step up, or if the front office will need to look outside the organization for help. The answer may determine how long Palencia’s absence is felt.