Cubs Place Gavin Hollowell on IL as Daniel Palencia Nears Return

Reliever Gavin Hollowell moves to the 15-day IL with shoulder inflammation as Daniel Palencia prepares for a Saturday live bullpen session.

CHICAGO -- The Chicago Cubs fell 2-0 to the New York Yankees on Friday, a contest preceded by the club placing reliever Gavin Hollowell on the 15-day injured list due to right shoulder inflammation. To fill the roster vacancy, the team recalled 26-year-old left-hander Antoine Kelly from Triple-A Iowa. Kelly made his major league debut during the eighth inning of the loss, recording the final four outs without allowing a hit while registering one strikeout and one walk. The Park Ridge, Illinois native previously posted a 1-1 record and a 2.79 ERA across 19 1/3 innings for Iowa after being acquired from the Dodgers for cash on June 6.

Manager Craig Counsell announced that closer Daniel Palencia is scheduled to throw a live bullpen session in Chicago on Saturday. Palencia has been sidelined since June 16 with a mild right elbow flexor strain but is now approaching a return to the active roster. Last season, the right-hander led the Cubs with 22 saves. During the current campaign, he has been limited to 19 games and 16 2/3 innings, pitching to a 2-1 record with a 2.70 ERA and three saves. Counsell noted that if the upcoming session is successful, the pitcher may begin a minor league rehab assignment.

Hollowell Sidelined by Shoulder Inflammation

Gavin Hollowell’s injury flared up during the Cubs' recent series in St. Louis. Before his placement on the injured list, the reliever maintained a 2.51 ERA over 14 1/3 innings across 14 appearances this season. He recorded 13 strikeouts and eight walks during that span without factoring into a decision. The move to the 15-day IL creates a significant shift in the bullpen depth as the team awaits the return of their primary late-inning options.

Daniel Palencia Return and Rehab Progress

Regarding the progress of the injured closer, Counsell stated that throwing live sessions indicates a return to health. The manager emphasized the need for the righty to build up volume before making game appearances. Palencia’s return would bolster a relief corps that has seen heavy rotation throughout the summer. The Saturday session serves as the final hurdle before the team determines the specific start date for his competitive rehab outings.

Justin Steele Continues Long Recovery Process

In additional injury news, left-handed starter Justin Steele played catch at Wrigley Field on Friday. Steele has not pitched in a major league game since April 2025, following Tommy John surgery and a subsequent setback involving a left flexor strain in April 2026. During his Friday workout, the 31-year-old made approximately 80 to 85 throws. He is scheduled to increase his throwing volume on Saturday before throwing 20 pitches from a mound.

Steele’s career includes a breakout 2023 season where he earned an All-Star nod with a 16-5 record and a 3.06 ERA. In 2024, he went 5-5 with a 3.07 ERA in 24 starts. His 2025 campaign was cut short after just four games, during which he went 3-1 with a 4.76 ERA before suffering an injury during an April 7 victory over Texas. While Steele reported feeling good, he remains focused on completing the recovery protocol without a specific timeline for his return to professional competition.