Potential Padres playoff opponent was just hit with crucial bullpen injury

If the 2025 MLB playoffs began today (September 9), the San Diego Padres would face the Chicago Cubs in the opening round.

While the Friars are aiming high and trying to overthrow the LA Dodgers for first place in the NL West, their fate (as it always does) places them in second as a strong Wild Card team. But this may not be a bad thing for San Diego. They are 3-3 against the Cubs this year, which would call for an even matchup.

However, Chicago was just hit with an injury that could turn their playoff bullpen staff sideways. They placed their closer, Daniel Palencia on the 15-day injured list with a right should strain.

The 25-year-old is enjoying a breakout season. Logging 22 saves, a 3.00 ERA, and a 10.4 K/9, Palencia is one of the hardest throwers in the game who also misses barrels at an elite rate.

While a 15-day wait would not leak into the postseason, you never know the severity of a shoulder injury until it's time to start throwing again. This is the last thing the Cubs want to worry about as they've been one of the top teams in the National League all year.

Palencia has shown some prowess, particularly against the Padres. In 2 2/3 innings this year, he's allowed one run against them. We are not writing him off yet, but dealing with arm injuries at the tail-end of a long season, right before the playoffs, is a recipe for disaster.

The Padres have had their fair share of pitching injuries in 2025: Jason Adam, Yu Darvish, Joe Musgrove, Michael King, Matt Waldron. The list goes on, and yet, the Padres are still in contention. Maybe the Cubs could find a way to do so, too if Palencia can't return to full health.