In a bold announcement that has caught the attention of baseball fans, the Chicago Cubs have designated Daniel Palencia as their closer for Opening Day. This decision was revealed by manager Craig Counsell during a press conference held on Wednesday in Mesa, Arizona.
Counsell, who typically discusses his bullpen in terms of "out-getters," surprised many when he confirmed Palencia's role so directly. "Yes," he answered succinctly when asked if Palencia would take on the closer duties for the team's first game.
While this news isn’t entirely unexpected—after all, Palencia held the closer position for a significant part of the previous season—it does raise eyebrows since the 26-year-old ended the last campaign pitching in the middle innings. The Cubs underwent a total overhaul of their bullpen during the offseason, not signing any well-known closer, which has paved the way for Palencia to reclaim his spot.
Cubs president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer shared insights into Palencia’s journey: "No one anticipated he would be closing games a year ago. He performed exceptionally well, and his growth was evident to everyone involved. We’re thrilled to see him step into this role."
Last season, Palencia had an impressive record, saving 22 out of 25 games. However, he lost his closer title to Brad Keller after coming back from an injury, struggling in the second half with a 5.40 ERA compared to an outstanding 1.57 in the first half. Despite these challenges, Palencia believes his pitching arsenal is now even stronger. "I plan to utilize my splitter more this season," he mentioned, indicating a strategic shift in his approach.
Known for his blazing fastball, Palencia averaged an astonishing 99.6 mph last year, limiting batters to a .216 average against it. He predominantly relied on his fastball, throwing it 71% of the time, while only using his splitter—a pitch that batters hit just .143 against—4.5% of the time. This season, he intends to increase the usage of his splitter and dial back on his slider.
Reflecting on the pressures of closing games, Palencia acknowledged, "It's a challenging environment. With the game on the line, maintaining calmness on the mound while being aggressive towards hitters is crucial."
The Cubs are looking to build on their postseason appearance in 2025, and Palencia is one of the few returning members from last year's bullpen who is stepping back into a role he claimed successfully last April. Team executives have indicated they will have financial flexibility around the trade deadline, should they need to bolster their roster if they remain competitive. Although closers often become available during the summer as teams shift focus, Palencia is concentrating solely on the present.
"I love closing games. It’s all about trusting your skills and aggressively challenging the hitters," he expressed enthusiastically. This insight into Palencia's mindset is sure to resonate with fans eager to see how he performs in this critical role.
