Cubs Activate Palencia from 15-Day Injured List

Chicago Cubs closer Daniel Palencia returned to the active roster Sunday, activated from the 15-day injured list after missing time with a left oblique strain sustained April 17.

The right-hander had posted five scoreless innings across five relief outings earlier this season before the injury. In a single rehabilitation appearance Friday with Triple-A Iowa, Palencia recorded two outs and touched 102 mph. His activation bolsters a Chicago bullpen battered by injuries, as the team entered its series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks with a 14-3 record over its previous 17 games.

Reliever Phil Maton also rejoined the active roster last week following a stint on the injured list for right knee tendinitis. Other pitchers sidelined include Riley Martin with a flexor strain in his elbow, Caleb Thielbar with a left hamstring strain, Ethan Roberts and Hunter Harvey.

Manager Craig Counsell expressed optimism about the team's health. "I think we are getting healthy," he said. "We still got to perform, and we've performed really good the last two and a half weeks."

Second baseman Nico Hoerner also returned to the starting lineup Sunday after sitting out Saturday's 2-0 victory over...