Jenson Brooksby: Palencia heads back to IL with elbow inflammation

jenson brooksby was not the headline on the field, but Daniel Palencia was headed back to the Injured List for the second time this season. The Cubs closer is out again because of elbow inflammation, a change from the lat strain that sent him there earlier this year.

Palencia’s second IL stint

Palencia’s latest move comes after he already spent time on the Injured List with a lat strain earlier this season. That makes this a quick turn back to a roster problem the Cubs had only just worked around.

Multiple Cubs beat reporters reported the move, and the club filled the opening by recalling Gavin Hollowell from Triple-A Iowa. Hollowell now steps into the bullpen spot Palencia leaves behind.

Cubs shuffle after the walk-off

The timing lands after the Cubs won last night on a walk-off, even though they did not get a hit with a runner in scoring position. That kind of win can mask problems that show up on the next roster move.

For the Cubs, the immediate effect is simple: their closer is back on the Injured List, and the replacement has already come up from Iowa. The team has now dealt with Palencia’s absence twice this season, first for the lat strain and now for elbow inflammation.

What follows is the bullpen answer. Hollowell is on hand now, while Palencia’s second IL trip of the season leaves the late innings without the pitcher the Cubs had been using to finish games.