The Chicago Cubs are dealing with a slew of injuries as the postseason rapidly approaches, with two of the most noteworthy ones coming to slugger Kyle Tucker and closer Daniel Palencia. Cubs manager Craig Counsell provided injury updates on both on Friday, Sept. 12.
Bad news out of the way first: Tucker, though eligible to return when he’s activated off the IL on Tuesday Sept. 16, doesn’t look to be ready that quickly. He is dealing with a strain in his left calf, and according to Counsell, running is the thing that seems to be holding his return back.
âI would say Tuesday is unlikely right now,â Counsell said Friday. âHe is doing activity. The symptomatic stuff is the running right now. Weâre on a bike, weâre hitting still, throwing. Weâre hoping to have a weekend of no symptoms doing any of that and that will lead us back onto the field and to the running and then go from there.â
Now to the good news. Palencia, who isn’t available to be re-activated until Sept. 23, seems to be progressing well already, less than a week into his IL stint. The closer is dealing with a right shoulder strain.
Palencia played catch for the first time on Friday, in what Counsell deemed a “diagnostic catch.” he threw the ball well and is scheduled to play catch again today and see how he was able to recover from his first throwing activity Friday.
Tucker’s Importance in the Postseason
It’s tough to emphasize enough how crucial Kyle Tucker’s role is for this Cubs team as they head towards the postseason. The Cubs are a young team with little postseason experience outside of Tucker, Dansby Swanson and Justin Tucker.
It is imperative that Tucker gets healthy for the playoffs, as both an on-field and clubhouse leader. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Chicago play it safe with his injury for the remainder of the regular season so that he is a full go come October.
Tucker has 64 games of postseason experience from his time with the Houston Astros, where he won a World Series in 2022. The Cubs haven’t been in the playoffs since the 2020 COVID-shortened season, and in that time, nearly their entire roster has turned over. Tucker’s leadership will be huge if the Cubs want to go on a run in October.
Palencia’s Role When He Returns
In Palencia’s absence, veteran Andrew Kittredge has emerged as a solid candidate to be the Cubs closer coming down the stretch. There’s a good chance that when Palencia is back and healthy, he splits the closer role with Kittredge, or maybe even turns into a 7th and 8th inning guy.
Counsell is focused on a holistic approach with his bullpen heading into the home stretch.
â[He will assume the role] of getting outs,â Counsell said. âWeâre in the âgetting outsâ mode.â
Palencia has had the most successful season of his career in 2025, posting an ERA of 3.00 while he has converted 22 of 25 save opportunities. He has 59 strikeouts in 51 innings pitched this season.
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