ATLANTA — The Chicago Cubs are expected to gain clarity by the end of the week as to how long closer Daniel Palencia could be sidelined.

Palencia landed on the 15-day injured list Monday with a right shoulder strain. The 25-year-old right-hander felt discomfort in his shoulder on Sunday and departed without recording an out during a disastrous ninth-inning blown save when he surrendered five runs on four hits, including two home runs. Palencia is with the team in Atlanta and will get daily treatment on his shoulder. The Cubs recalled right-hander Ethan Roberts from Triple-A Iowa to take his bullpen spot.

Manager Craig Counsell expects the team to have a better idea on Friday, following the team’s off day, of how Palencia’s shoulder is trending and a potential timeframe for his return. He deemed it too soon to say whether Palencia will be back before the end of the season. Counsell wouldn’t commit to one reliever taking save opportunities moving forward, instead reiterating his philosophy of just getting 27 outs.

“However it lines up, it lines up,” Counsell said. “The guys in the bullpen just keep doing what you’re doing. We’ve got a situation where the three outs Daniel has been asked to get we’re going to have to get three additional outs, somebody else is going to have to get outs in the course of the game. We’ll figure out the best way to piece that together.”

Right-hander Brad Keller’s success this year in high-leverage spots should certainly warrant a look in ninth-inning save chances. Keller, 30, has a 2.17 ERA, 3.25 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a 176 ERA+ in 60 appearances. Porter Hodge delivered his best outing of the season on Friday, and Counsell said Palencia’s injury will create more opportunities for Hodge.

The Cubs could soon be adding another dynamic arm to the bullpen. Michael Soroka (right shoulder strain) will make a rehab appearance with Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday. Soroka, who has been out since the beginning of August, might only need one outing before coming off the IL.

“Let’s see how it goes and see what it looks like,” Counsell said. “But the (live batting practices) have been very good, we were very encouraged by the lives, and I think that makes one definitely a possibility.”

Kyle Tucker of the Chicago Cubs looks on from the bench during the fourth inning against the Washington Nationals at Wrigley Field on Sept. 5, 2025. (Geoff Stellfox/Getty Images)

Kyle Tucker (calf) was not in the lineup Monday for a fifth consecutive game. Tucker got close to full speed, including on arc maneuvers that involved non-linear running, but the Cubs remain cautious. Counsell indicated Tucker would be available off the bench Monday but was unsure whether he would actually use the outfielder.

At this point, an IL stint is not on the table, Counsell said, citing the progress Tucker has made.

“As long as we’re having days where we’re moving forward and getting closer, and that’s what we felt the last two days especially, we’re in a pretty good place,” Counsell said.

Pete Crow-Armstrong returned to the lineup Monday as the designated hitter and could be back in center field as soon as Tuesday. He ran during early pregame batting practice Monday and looked pretty good, according to Counsell. Crow-Armstrong appeared slightly hindered when trying to slow down due to the bruise on his knee.

Right-hander Jameson Taillon (groin) will come off the IL and start Wednesday’s series finale against the Braves. Javier Assad will likely shift to the bullpen or potentially be used to manage other starters’ workloads.

https://www.chicagotribune.com/2025/09/08/chicago-cubs-injuries-daniel-palencia-kyle-tucker/