After a standout 2025 season as the Chicago Cubs’ right-handed reliever, Daniel Palencia showcased his high-90s fastball and sharp slider to post a 2.91 ERA and 3.05 FIP. Despite his impressive performance, the Cubs may not rely solely on Palencia in late-game roles next year, especially given past inconsistencies in their bullpen and manager Craig Counsell’s reluctance to assign fixed roles. Several other pitchers are emerging as potential closers for the Cubs in 2026.
Cubs’ Potential Ninth-Inning Relievers Aside from Palencia
While Daniel Palencia has been a bright spot with his blend of velocity and control, Chicago’s bullpen history suggests multiple pitchers could share closing duties. Here are three contenders who might handle the critical ninth inning this year.
Hunter Harvey’s Return from Injury Battles
Hunter Harvey’s $6 million signing by the Cubs was seen as a risk considering his extensive injury history dating back to his drafting in 2013. Once a top-100 prospect with the Baltimore Orioles, his career has been repeatedly interrupted by setbacks including Tommy John surgery. Harvey missed much of the 2025 season due to multiple injuries but remains one of the few pitchers in the Cubs system who can match Palencia’s raw arm talent.
Harvey’s repertoire features a high-90s fastball and career strikeout rate near 10 per nine innings, showing he can dominate hitters when healthy. Unlike Palencia, control has not been a major concern for Harvey, making him a valuable bullpen option. However, his fastball velocity dropped in 2025 to around 96 MPH from the previous average of 98 MPH, and he has sometimes been vulnerable to hard contact. His career 3.11 ERA and 3.16 FIP indicate he can maintain effectiveness when available, but staying on the mound consistently remains his biggest challenge.
Phil Maton’s Unconventional Closer Profile
Phil Maton does not fit the traditional mold of a closer, especially with a fastball velocity that was among the slowest in the majors at just 89.6 MPH in 2025. Still, he had a remarkable season with the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers, delivering a 2.79 ERA and exceeding Palencia’s strikeout rate by a wide margin with 11.89 K/9 in over 61 innings pitched.
Maton excels by inducing swings and misses and limiting hard contact, boasting elite metrics such as a 99th percentile exit velocity against of 84.8 MPH and a hard-hit rate in the 99th percentile at just 30.7%. His 36.2% whiff rate ranks in the 98th percentile. He uses a potent curveball with more than 5.4 inches of vertical break and a sharp cutter to compensate for his lack of fastball speed.
While Maton’s numbers don’t place him among the absolute elite pitchers, his combination of strikeout ability and contact management made him worth a two-year, $14.5 million contract. If entrusted with the ninth inning, he could surprise skeptics and stabilize the Cubs’ closer role despite an unorthodox pitching style.
Porter Hodge’s Opportunity for a Comeback
After a strong 2024 season with 9 saves and a 1.88 ERA, Porter Hodge experienced a sharp decline in 2025, partly due to injuries and limited velocity. His uneven start coincided with time on the injured list, but he rebounded impressively in September, striking out 13 batters over 8 1/3 innings between August 31 and September 17.
Despite a disappointing ERA last season, Hodge’s underlying metrics suggest he pitched better than his results indicated. His expected ERA stood at a more modest 4.17, and his expected FIP was 4.03, hinting at some bad luck and fluctuations in performance. A healthy offseason and return to form could allow Hodge to reclaim his role as a reliable high-velocity arm out of the pen.
If Hodge can bounce back, the Cubs would have a potent bullpen quartet with him, Palencia, Harvey, and Maton, offering a mix of power, strikeout prowess, and experience to close out games in 2026 under Craig Counsell’s management.
What’s Next for the Cubs’ Bullpen in 2026?
The 2026 season may see the Chicago Cubs utilizing a committee approach in closing games rather than relying solely on Daniel Palencia. This strategy reflects an understanding of the team’s past bullpen variability and the need to keep pitchers fresh and flexible. Harvey’s return from injury, Maton’s unique skill set, and Hodge’s comeback potential make for an intriguing mix that could boost the Cubs’ late-game effectiveness.
While Palencia remains a key component, the emergence of these arms offers the Cubs diverse options for protecting slim leads. Success in this area could be decisive for Chicago’s ability to close tight games and compete at a higher level next season.
