Cubs activate closer Daniel Palencia from the 15-day injured list

CHICAGO (AP) — Chicago Cubs closer Daniel Palencia was activated from the 15-day injured list on Sunday after being sidelined by a left oblique strain.

Palencia pitched five scoreless innings over five appearances before he was placed on the IL on April 17. The right-hander made one rehab appearance, reaching 102 mph while recording two outs for Triple-A Iowa on Friday.

Chicago has been hit hard by injuries, especially in the bullpen, but it was 14-3 in its last 17 games going into the finale of its weekend set against Arizona. Phil Maton, another key reliever for the Cubs, was reinstated from the IL last week after being sidelined by right knee tendinitis.

“I think we are getting healthy,” manager Craig Counsell said. “We still got to perform, and we've performed really good the last two and a half weeks.”

Second baseman Nico Hoerner returned to the starting lineup after missing Saturday's 2-0 victory over the Diamondbacks because of tightness on the left side of his neck. Hoerner has been a key performer for the NL Central leaders, batting .297 with four homers and 26 RBIs in 32 games.

“Both days he’s done something beforehand to test his readiness and today there was no symptoms and felt really good,” Counsell said.

Right-hander Yacksel Rios was designated for assignment to make room for Palencia on the roster. Rios pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings last weekend in his only appearance with the Cubs.

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