Cubs announce brutal news on 0.00 ERA star WBC closer amid injury

The Chicago Cubs lost Cade Horton for the rest of the regular season due to an elbow issue that required Tommy John surgery. He's set to miss 15-16 months and is officially done for the 2026 season.

With the Cubs sitting at a mediocre 9-9, at the bottom of the all-of-the-sudden very competitive NL Central, the team cannot afford more injuries. Unfortunately, a very important player was dealt some brutal news.

As the Cubs announced Friday afternoon, closer and World Baseball Classic star Daniel Palencia is dealing with an oblique issue, and will land on the injured list and miss some time as the Cubs' pitching staff is reeling at the moment.

Cubs place Daniel Palencia on IL

"Right-handed pitcher Daniel Palencia placed on the 15-day injured list (retroactive to April 14) with a left oblique strain," the Cubs announced.

Palencia, the flame-throwing righty who was a dominant closer with a 2.91 ERA last season, is now landing on the injured list after just five outings this season.

Before hitting the injured list early this season, Palencia has posted a 1-0 record, one save, and five strikeouts through five innings pitched with a 1.000 WHIP.

This is some brutal news for the Cubs, especially with all of the other pitcher injuries the team is dealing with.

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Palencia joins Horton, Matthew Boyd, Justin Steele, Phil Maton, Hunter Harvey, Ethan Roberts, Jordan Wicks, Shelby Miller, and Porter Hodge on the injured list.

It's a lengthy list of pitchers, both starters and relievers, who are set to miss a lot of time for the Cubs this season.

Palencia's absence is going to sting, as the righty closer was playing great. He will now miss some time due to an oblique strain, as the Cubs will have to turn to Caleb Thielbar, Holy Milner, and others to take up the mantle of closer in Palencia's absence.

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