The numbers don’t exactly support it, but Cubs reliever Daniel Palencia feels great.
“I feel like I’m in a really good spot right now,” he told the Sun-Times on Sunday. “I’m getting more action, so I’m starting to feel really good.”
That’s true. Since returning from inflammation in his right elbow Aug. 21, Palenica has totaled 8 ⅓ innings in nine games. But he has allowed seven earned runs in that span (7.56 ERA), including two home runs. For the season, which also was interrupted by a strained left oblique in April, he has a 4.32 ERA in 28 games.
It’s a far cry from last season, when he had a 2.91 ERA in 54 games and 22 saves. And in six postseason outings, each at least one inning, he held the opposition scoreless in five.
Where’s that guy?
He showed signs of him Sunday, when he hit 100 mph with his fastball while pitching his fourth consecutive scoreless outing, his most since April. It wasn’t a save situation, but he kept the Cubs’ deficit at one in the ninth inning of their 4-3 loss to the Pirates.
“I thought it was Danny’s best outing since he’s been off the injured list,” manager Craig Counsell said. “That’s why you just keep putting him out there. It’s going to happen on the mound. I thought he just made good pitches the whole outing, so it’s encouraging to see.”
Yet, from last season, his strikeouts are down, his walks are up and he isn’t missing as many bats. Palencia said none of it stems from pitching in the World Baseball Classic, where he earned three saves in five scoreless outings (five innings) and struck out nine.
“I don’t think so, because I was good after that,” Palencia said of his start to the regular season. “I think it was, you know, the human body’s not made to play baseball. So it’s going to happen.
“The important thing is the confidence. When I got back the first time, I wanted to be healthy. Maybe I was thinking too much. But right now, it’s just baseball. I feel great.”
Palencia has been stuck on three saves since May 14. He’s one of 14 Cubs with at least one save. Jacob Webb leads the team with nine. Would Palencia like another shot at closing?
“I love that job, but all the guys have been great for us,” he said. “We are a team. We’re here to support each other. I don’t care who takes the ball. We’re here to win.”
What’s next for Ramirez?
The Cubs certainly are looking forward to shortstop Dansby Swanson’s return from a strained left oblique, which is expected to happen next weekend. But his return will push hot-hitting second baseman Pedro Ramirez out of the lineup, with Nico Hoerner moving back from short.
The rookie had a heck of a week with a .936 OPS, two home runs and seven runs scored in six games. What are the Cubs going to do with him when Swanson is back?
“I don’t think a ton of thought’s been put on that as much as getting Dansby through those rehab games healthy,” bench coach Ryan Flaherty said. “It’s a good problem to have.”
Ramirez has been the designated hitter in 13 games this season and has pinch-hit 17 times. He also has filled in at first and third base.
“There’s a level of trust when he’s on the field and what he brings and his slow heartbeat … to go out there in a big spot and perform,” Flaherty said.
Top-notch hitting
The Cubs continued to deliver with two outs. After Ramirez drew a two-out walk in the fifth, Miguel Amaya homered to left field. The Cubs lead the majors with 300 two-out RBI and 311 two-out runs.
Amaya’s homer also added to the Cubs’ production from the bottom of the lineup. They now have a major-league-leading 235 RBI and 172 walks from the Nos. 7-9 spots.