It was fair to wonder why Cubs high-leverage reliever Poter Hodge wasn’t on the mound late in Monday’s game against the Miami Marlins.

The Cubs had a one-run lead entering the bottom of the ninth inning, and Daniel Palencia was assigned to preserve it. That raised an eyebrow both before and after the 25-year-old right-hander blew the save and gave up Jesus Sanchez’s decisive two-run, two-out triple that secured Miami’s 8-7 walk-off win over the Cubs.

Manager Craig Counsell answered those question right after the difficult loss.

Hodge was unavailable, and will be for some time. The Cubs will place Hodge on the injured list with a left oblique injury, Counsell said on Monday night. He will be unavailable for 15 days at minimum.

That leaves the Cubs with a conundrum. Who will close in Hodge’s absence?

Ryan Pressly has plenty of experience in the role, but he hasn’t been great to this point this season. Palencia’s Monday audition didn’t go well, but he has closer’s stuff with a 100-plus mph fastball and a strong slider when it’s well placed.

Drew Pomeranz hasn’t given up a run in 11 appearances for the Cubs after being acquired in trade from the Mariners.

The Cubs could go with one of those options or a by-committee approach based upon matchups, as they have over stretches this season. In fact, six different pitchers have earned a save to this point, but Hodge seemed to be the best option to pitch the ninth inning after Pressly opened the year in that role.

Counsell could offer clarity in future meetings with the press, but the decision on the closer’s role will be key. That position is valuable, as we saw in a negative light in this dramatic loss to the Marlins.

The Cubs have an interesting mix in the back end of the bullpen, and Counsell must make the right choices in the ninth for the team’s winning ways to continue.