MESA, Ariz. — Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell tends to be coy when it comes to publicly declaring specific bullpen roles.
As Counsell often notes, he just wants “out-getters.” Counsell, though, did not hesitate Wednesday after being asked whether Daniel Palencia would get the ninth inning in a save situation if the season started tomorrow. He confirmed the 26-year-old will be their closer to start the season. Palencia smiled before Cubs pitchers’ and catchers’ first workout Wednesday when told the news.
“It’s just awesome for me,” Palencia said. “I worked a lot this offseason too, just trying to be ready to help the team. Like I said before last season, I’m just trying to be ready for any inning. If he needs me in the fifth, then I’ll be there. My job is making outs. That’s what I want to do.
“In those situations, you’ve got the game on the line, just trying to be you and trust in your stuff and attack the hitters. It’s a tough situation, so you have to relax.”
Palencia’s journey over the last year has taken him from starting the 2025 season at Triple A to being a key piece in the Cubs bullpen. A disappointing 2024, when he posted a 6.14 ERA, 66 ERA+ and 1.773 WHIP in only 10 big-league appearances (14 2/3 innings), created uncertainty of how, or if, he could help the Cubs last season. The organization now is counting on him to build off a season in which he owned a 2.91 ERA with 22 saves spanning 52 2/3 innings leading to a vital role during the postseason.
“No one sitting here a year ago would have thought he was me pitching as a closer last year, pitching huge innings in the middle of the game in the playoffs the way he did and so he did an amazing job,” president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said Wednesday. “His maturation was obvious to everyone. We’re super excited about him.”
An attractive destination
Veteran reliever Hunter Harvey considered his decision to sign with the Cubs to be an easy one.
During his offseason meeting with the team, the organization highlighted how pitchers have experienced career years after signing with the Cubs. They had plenty of examples to choose from over the last few years, including the performances of reliever Brad Keller and lefty Matthew Boyd last season. It left an impression on Harvey, 31, who dealt with injuries the previous two seasons. That, coupled with the Cubs looking to make a deep run in October, made them appealing.
“That’s kind of what I’m looking for so to be able to get involved with the guys that have been helping make that happen, it made it a very easy decision,” Hunter told the Tribune on Wednesday. “All the coaches, all the pitching coaches, the strength coaches, the trainers, everybody, they just caught my eye a little bit more than everybody else I talked to.”
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The Cubs’ success last year created a similar appeal to reliever Hoby Milner. They had attempted to sign the 35-year-old lefty in previous offseasons, finally coming to fruition this time.
“Everyone that’s in this clubhouse wants to help get this team to a World Series, and that’s why we’re all here, and I think it’s nice to join a team that’s proven to be successful — that was one of my goals this offseason,” Milner said. “It’s definitely a privilege to be wanted by a team that’s a contender and expected to win the (National League) Central, so I’m excited.”
Spring training broadcast schedule announced
The Cubs announced Wednesday that 11 of their 32-game spring schedule will air on Marquee Sports Network while 10 will be broadcast on WSCR-AM 670 and FM 104.3.
Only four of those games on the radio are stand-alone broadcasts, leaving 18 Cubs Cactus League games that will not be on Marquee or the Score. Plus, only seven of the Cubs’ 18 home exhibition games are slated for Marquee, with one of those being the spring breakout game featuring prospects. Marquee will air the Cubs’ first two Cactus League games Feb. 20 and 21, then none until March 1.
President of business operations Crane Kenney told the Tribune in January that the Cubs made “a really hard decision” to air fewer spring training games this year.
“But it seemed like it made the most sense to us in terms of, like any budget, where do you want to cut and what do you want to emphasize?” Kenney said last month. “So we’re going to emphasize the pre, the post and the games with the same technology, same talent, to give our fans the very best games. And we made that decision on spring training, we’re going to do fewer.”