If the Chicago Cubs (81-62) face the San Diego Padres (78-65) in the National League Wild Card Series, which has long been the matchup penciled in, they will need a plethora of reliable arms to combat the Friars' elite bullpen. Unfortunately, that may not be a luxury this team has come October. The Cubbies' pitching staff is ailing right now, and it just suffered another potentially massive blow. Closer Daniel Palencia is heading to the 15-day injured list with a shoulder strain, per The Athletic's Sahadev Sharma.

The team inquired about the 25-year-old righty's status shortly after his nightmarish outing against the Washington Nationals on Sunday night. Palencia entered the ninth inning with a 3-1 lead, before allowing two home runs, four hits and a walk without even recording an o

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