The Cubs reinstated Palencia (shoulder) from the injured list Wednesday, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Palencia has been sidelined since Sept. 8 due to a strained right shoulder, although he pitched in a rehab game Saturday, during which he gave up an unearned run and struck out two batters over two-thirds of an inning. The Cubs will now likely aim to get him a few more big-league appearances before he serves as the team's primary closer during the postseason. Jordan Wicks was optioned to the Arizona Complex League in a corresponding move.

Palencia (shoulder) will be activated Tuesday or Wednesday, Mike McGraw of the Chicago Daily Herald reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Cubs want to get their closer on the mound as the regular season winds down to see if he is ready for the postseason. The 25-year-old has made one appearance during his rehab assignment, which commenced Sept. 20 in a game where he allowed one run in 0.2 innings.

Palencia (shoulder) began a rehab assignment with Triple-A Iowa on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Palencia pitched in the fifth inning and allowed two hits and a run while striking out two across two-thirds of an inning. He'll likely need to make at least one more appearance prior to being activated, but he should be able to return at some before the close of the regular season.

Palencia (shoulder) joined the Cubs for their road trip in Pittsburgh and threw off a mound Monday for the first time since landing on the injured list Sept. 8, the Associated Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Prior to being deactivated after he was diagnosed with a left shoulder strain, Palencia had emerged as the Cubs' closer and converted 22 of 25 save chances while logging a 3.00 ERA and 1.18 WHIP over 51 innings on the season. The right-hander is without a definitive timeline for a return from the IL, but the fact that he's resumed mound work leaves the door open for him to be activated before the regular season comes to an end Sept. 28. In addition to completing another side session or two, Palencia will likely need to face hitters in live batting practice or in a brief minor-league rehab assignment before the Cubs add him back to their bullpen.

Palencia (shoulder) played catch Friday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's the first time he's thrown since he suffered a right shoulder strain Sunday and landed on the 15-day injured list Monday. It's a good sign that he's already playing catch, and the Cubs will map out a rehab plan for Palencia based on how he comes out of Friday's throwing session. Palencia will be eligible to return Sept. 23, but it's too soon to know whether he has a chance to be back by that date. Andrew Kittredge has the lone save for the Cubs since Palencia went down, and Brad Keller is also expected to be in the mix to close games.

The Cubs placed Palencia on the 15-day injured list Monday due to a right shoulder strain, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

The Chicago closer will hit the shelf after he experienced tightness in his shoulder during his relief appearance against the Nationals on Sunday, when he was dealt the loss and his third blown save of the season after failing to retire any of the five batters he faced while giving up four hits -- including two home runs -- and one walk. The Cubs haven't yet offered up a timeline for Palencia's return, but as a pitcher who's heavily reliant on high velocity and now coming back from an arm injury, he seems likely to be sidelined beyond the minimum 15 days. Manager Craig Counsell hasn't provided word on his plans for the ninth inning while Palencia is on the shelf, but Brad Keller, Andrew Kittredge and Caleb Thielbar have been pitching effectively in high-leverage spots of late and could be the Chicago relievers most likely to factor into the mix for saves over the next few weeks.

Palencia was removed from Sunday's game against the Nationals with tightness in the posterior of his right shoulder, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reports.

EDGE Analysis

It was a disastrous day for Palencia, who was charged with the loss and a blown save while failing to retire any of the five batters he faced. However, the injury is a bigger concern for the Cubs in the closing stretch of the regular season. Palencia is headed for medical testing, so his status could be updated within the next day or two.

Palencia allowed two hits and no walks in scoreless ninth inning for the save Tuesday against Atlanta, striking out one.

EDGE Analysis

Palencia has now yielded multiple hits in three of his last four outings, but he was able to hang on for his 22nd save of the season Tuesday. The right-hander has certainly been shaky of late, logging a 4.76 ERA and 1.85 WHIP over his last 11.1 innings since the start of August, though he remains Chicago's clear-cut closer. For the year, Palencia owns a 2.16 ERA and 1.10 WHIP while successfully converting all but two of his save opportunities across 50 innings.

Palencia surrendered one run on two hits without recording an out during Sunday's 6-5 loss to Colorado.

EDGE Analysis

Palencia took the mound in the bottom of the ninth inning with the score tied and surrendered a single and a walk-off triple to the first two batters he faced. Palencia has had a rough August, having allowed six runs in 10.1 innings across 12 appearances. He has three losses and one blown save during that stretch. Palencia's ERA sits at 2.20 on the season.

Palencia struck out two in a perfect inning to earn the save in Saturday's 4-3 win over the Rockies.

EDGE Analysis

Palencia retired the side of 13 pitches (eight strikes) to come away with his 21st save of the year. He's had some ups and downs in August, allowing five runs over 10.1 innings, but he's gone 7-for-8 in save chances. However, he's also posted a 1-2 record for the month. On the year, Palencia has a 2.02 ERA, 1.04 WHIP and 56:15 K:BB through 49 innings while serving mostly as the Cubs' primary closer.