Cubs activate Daniel Palencia from injured list, put Nico Hoerner back in lineup

The Cubs got a double dose of good news Sunday. They activated closer Daniel Palencia (left oblique strain) from the injured list and will have second baseman Nico Hoerner (neck) back in the lineup.

Palencia, who went on the 15-day IL on April 17, made one rehab appearance with Triple-A Iowa on Friday, reaching 102 mph. He threw 19 pitches, 14 for strikes, in two-thirds of an inning.

"I feel great. Excited to get back," Palencia told the Sun-Times. "I was just trying to feel good [in the rehab outing].