The Cubs placed closer Daniel Palencia on the 15-day injured list Tuesday after right‑elbow inflammation forced him out of Monday’s ninth‑inning effort against the Colorado Rockies. Palencia, 26, had struck out the side after allowing a single, but reported soreness after the game. Manager Craig Counsell said the decision weighed the player’s competitive drive against medical feedback. He hopes to return soon.

Palencia entered the game with one baserunner, then retired the next three batters, touching 99 mph on his fastball and maintaining a mid‑90s velocity. He finishes the season with a 2.70 ERA, three saves in 19 appearances, and 19 strikeouts over 16⅔ innings. Jed Hoyer, the club’s president of baseball operations, called the move an abundance of caution and shows no signs of decline.

Cubs bullpen depth remains thin; veteran arms have struggled, leaving left‑hander Hoby Milner as the most reliable reliever and a potential interim closer. Right‑hander Gavin Hollowell was recalled from Triple‑A Iowa to fill Palencia’s roster spot. The team will monitor the elbow without immediate imaging, opting for symptom‑based assessment before considering an MRI. The club hopes the inflammation subsides quickly.