Jacob Webb (forearm) hopeful to avoid injured list

At least the Cubs are learning now that Webb probably shouldn’t be one of their top couple of relievers in October. He’s taken four blown saves since picking up his last save a month ago. Things are definitely looking up for Daniel Palencia, who retired the only batter he faced tonight, but it might be too late to matter much for fantasy purposes.

Webb was not held back for a potential save situation today after blowing his last three chances as the Cubs’ closer, but he helped his cause today by retiring Oneil Cruz with the bases loaded after replacing Clay Holmes in the sixth and then pitching a scoreless seventh. As it turned out, Ryan Zeferjahn got a one-out save in the ninth. Webb, though, could be a candidate to close next time around.

Cabrera will operate out of Chicago’s bullpen for the rest of the season. His stuff should play up in shorter relief stints, and he could emerge as an important weapon over the final two weeks. It’s not out of the question that he could factor into the Cubs’ closing mix with Jacob Webb struggling recently, though that’s far from a guarantee considering Cabrera has never really pitched in relief before. He’s the type of talent who could thrive out of the bullpen if he manages to stay healthy.

Jackson Chourio delivered the game-tying homer in the ninth after Christian Yelich singled as a pinch-hitter. It was Webb’s first save chance since he left last Wednesday’s game after getting hit in the forearm by a comebacker. He’s now blown three straight save chances since his last conversion on Aug. 14. The door is wide open for Daniel Palencia to win back the ninth, but since his results have been poor since coming off the IL, the Cubs might choose to mix and match for now. Ryan Zeferjahn would also presumably be in the mix for saves.

Webb was struck on the right forearm by a 102.5 mph comebacker from Christian Yelich in the ninth inning. The 33-year-old has been an unexpected revelation this season, emerging as Chicago’s primary closer. He’ll likely head for X-rays to determine whether he suffered any fractures. There should be an update on his status before Thursday’s series finale. It would most likely be Daniel Palencia taking over if Webb misses any time.

After allows three runs in a blown save against the Mariners on Saturday — his first in over two months — Webb didn’t get the job done again Tuesday. He was able to get the Cubs out of a jam in the eighth, but he allows a walk and a two-run homer to Ryan Waldschmidt to blow the save. Webb likely gets another crack or two, but obviously his job security is waning, and fantasy managers need to be prepared for a switch.

Webb got the call to close out Saturday’s contest against the Mariners with a two-run lead in the ninth. He retired the first two batters, then gave up a run on a double and a single, leaving a runner on for Randy Arozarena, who took Webb deep for a walk-off, two-run homer. It was his fifth charged blown save, but his first since June 20. Webb had been pitching well as the team’s closer and could still get the next opportunity as the Cubs work Daniel Palencia back in his return from the injured list.

Palencia has been out since mid-June. He had a 2.70 ERA in 16 2/3 innings, striking out 19, before being sent to the injured list. Jacob Webb will likely remain in the mix for saves given how strong Webb has been this year, but it wouldn’t be surprising if Palencia eventually got the job back after he proves himself healthy and in good form.

Counsell added that Palencia has wrapped up a minor league rehab assignment, but won’t be activated prior to Tuesday’s game against the White Sox. Jacob Webb has been an unexpected revelation for Chicago and will likely remain in the mix for save chances, even when Palencia is back from the injured list. The hard-throwing 26-year-old has been out since mid-June with elbow inflammation.

Webb walked Munetaka Murakami to start the inning but then struck out three straight batters... or so he thought. Braden Montgomery challenged the pitch that appeared to finish the inning and got it turned into ball four with Webb halfway to the dugout. Webb, though, recovered to induce a groundout from Tristan Peters afterwards. It went as his 22nd straight scoreless appearance.