MESA, Ariz. \u2014 Chicago Cubs manager Craig Counsell tends to be coy when it comes to publicly declaring specific bullpen roles.<\/p>\n
As Counsell often notes, he just wants \u201cout-getters.\u201d 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\u2019 and catchers\u2019 first workout Wednesday when told the news.<\/p>\n
\u2018There\u2019s unfinished business\u2019: Chicago Cubs open camp with high expectations \u2014 and embrace the challenge<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s just awesome for me,\u201d Palencia said. \u201cI worked a lot this offseason too, just trying to be ready to help the team. Like I said before last season, I\u2019m just trying to be ready for any inning. If he needs me in the fifth, then I\u2019ll be there. My job is making outs. That\u2019s what I want to do.<\/p>\n \u201cIn those situations, you\u2019ve got the game on the line, just trying to be you and trust in your stuff and attack the hitters. It\u2019s a tough situation, so you have to relax.\u201d<\/p>\n Palencia\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n \u201cNo 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,\u201d president of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said Wednesday. \u201cHis maturation was obvious to everyone. We\u2019re super excited about him.\u201d<\/p>\n An attractive destination<\/p>\n Veteran reliever Hunter Harvey considered his decision to sign with the Cubs to be an easy one.<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s kind of what I\u2019m 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,\u201d Hunter told the Tribune on Wednesday. \u201cAll 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.\u201d<\/p>\n 3 Chicago Cubs storylines to watch in spring training, including how they will optimize their bench<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n The Cubs\u2019 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.<\/p>\n \u201cEveryone that\u2019s in this clubhouse wants to help get this team to a World Series, and that\u2019s why we\u2019re all here, and I think it\u2019s nice to join a team that\u2019s proven to be successful \u2014 that was one of my goals this offseason,\u201d Milner said. \u201cIt\u2019s definitely a privilege to be wanted by a team that\u2019s a contender and expected to win the (National League) Central, so I\u2019m excited.\u201d<\/p>\n Spring training broadcast schedule announced<\/p>\n 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n 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\u2019 18 home exhibition games are slated for Marquee, with one of those being the spring breakout game featuring prospects. Marquee will air the Cubs\u2019 first two Cactus League games Feb. 20 and 21, then none until March 1.<\/p>\n