Overview

• Daniel Palencia played catch Friday and felt good, according to Craig Counsell, with additional higher‑intensity throwing planned and his late‑season return still to be determined.
• Andrew Kittredge has converted two straight save chances since Palencia went on the injured list and owns a 1.26 ERA over his last 15 outings.
• Brad Keller’s clean eighth Friday pushed his run of scoreless appearances to 22 since the All‑Star break, the longest active streak by a major‑league reliever reported this week.
• Chicago relievers retired all 12 batters they faced in Friday’s 6–4 win over the Rays and have strung together 11 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings after a 14‑out effort earlier in the week.
• Counsell reaffirmed he will deploy late‑inning matchups with options such as Kittredge, Keller and Drew Pomeranz, while Caleb Thielbar and a resurgent Porter Hodge strengthen the depth.