Ben Brown Cleared For Normal Offseason Throwing Program
Chicago Cubs right-hander Ben Brown (neck) has been cleared for a normal offseason throwing program, according to a team source. Brown is one of the team's promising young pitchers, but unfortunately he didn't appear in a game after June 8 in his rookie season in 2024 due to an unusual neck injury. The 25-year-old had a 3.58 ERA in 55 1/3 innings for the Cubbies in a swing role and showed dominant tendencies at times as both a starter and reliever. It remains to be seen how the Cubs will choose to use him moving forward, but when healthy, Brown has the stuff to be fantasy relevant in all leagues. The most likely scenario is that the former 33rd-round pick by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2017 will be given a chance to win an Opening Day rotation spot. If health issues resurface, though, a long-term relief role could be in the cards for Brown.
Chicago Cubs pitcher Ben Brown (neck) is expected to have a scan on his neck in the coming weeks, and if he gets the all-clear, then the 25-year-old could resume throwing without restriction. If the youngster is cleared then the expectation is that he'll be ready to compete for a rotation spot in spring training. The former 33rd-round draft pick showed well in his MLB debut last season, posting a 3.58 ERA (3.11 FIP), 1.08 WHIP, and a 64:19 K:BB in 55 1/3 innings over his first 15 big-league appearances (eight starts), including a seven-inning outing on May 28 in which he allowed no hits, two walks, and struck out 10. With his 28.8% strikeout rate, the righty is worth keeping an eye on, as he'd at least have value in NL-Only leagues were he to win a rotation spot.
Chicago Cubs rookie right-hander Ben Brown (neck) remains at the team's spring training complex in Arizona and still hasn't done anything pitching-wise. Manager Craig Counsell said it's not likely that Brown will be back the rest of the season. Brown last appeared in a game for the Cubs way back on June 8 and was then placed on the injured list on June 11 with a stress reaction in his neck. The 24-year-old has already been shut down two separate times from his throwing program and will likely be shut down as he looks to get fully healthy for next season. After going 1-3 with a 3.58 ERA (3.11 FIP), a 1.08 WHIP and a 64:19 K:BB in 55 1/3 innings over his first 15 big-league appearances (eight starts), Brown should at least be in contention for a starting role going into spring training next year if he's recovered from his neck issues.
Chicago Cubs rookie right-hander Ben Brown (neck) is scheduled to throw off a mound on Friday in Arizona. Brown has been sidelined for six weeks now due to a neck injury and is going to need at least several minor-league rehab starts before he's a candidate for Chicago's starting rotation once again. But the 24-year-old should eventually jump back into the Cubs' rotation in the second half of the season after going 1-3 with a 3.58 ERA (3.11 FIP) and 1.08 WHIP with 64 strikeouts and 19 walks in 55 1/3 innings over his first 15 major-league appearances (eight starts) before getting hurt. He was even better in his eight starts, posting a 3.23 ERA and 0.97 WHIP with 43 strikeouts and 14 walks in 39 innings pitched. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues will want to consider adding Brown when he gets closer to a return in August.
Chicago Cubs rookie right-hander Ben Brown (neck) is still experiencing neck symptoms, and his progress moving forward remains status quo, according to manager Craig Counsell. A neck strain landed Brown on the 15-day injured list in the middle of June, and it doesn't appear that the 24-year-old is any closer to returning to the Cubs' starting rotation. Brown was cleared to begin a throwing program in late June, but it's unclear if he's been shut down entirely after experiencing more neck pain. With details sparse on his recovery, there's no current timetable for his return to the big leagues. In Brown's first 15 big-league appearances (eight starts) this year for Chicago, he's gone 1-3 with a decent 3.58 ERA (3.12 FIP) and 1.08 WHIP with 64 strikeouts and 19 walks in 55 1/3 innings. The strikeout upside alone makes him worth rostering in deep-mixed leagues when he's healthy.
Chicago Cubs rookie starting pitcher Ben Brown (1-1) dominated the Milwaukee Brewers, hurling seven shutout innings with 10 strikeouts and two walks while allowing no hits in a 6-3 extra-inning victory. Brown deserved a win on Tuesday night, but the Cubs didn't provide much run support in the first nine innings. Hector Neris blew the save in the bottom of the 9th inning, allowing the Brewers to score one run to tie the game. Brown was not expected to last much longer in the rotation with Jordan Wicks (forearm) set to return soon, but he has given manager Craig Counsell something to consider. Right now, he's tentatively scheduled to face the Chicago White Sox next Tuesday (June 4), and another stellar start could make the coach's decision about his future in the rotation even more difficult.
Ben Brown Tosses Four Scoreless Innings On Thursday
Chicago Cubs pitcher Ben Brown allowed one hit over four scoreless innings during Thursday's 3-0 loss to the Atlanta Braves. The rookie right-hander struck out six batters while issuing two walks. It was an impressive showing for the 24-year-old in his fifth start (and 12th appearance) of the season. Brown has been a solid option for the Cubs this year as evidenced by his 3.20 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 45:15 K:BB through 39 1/3 innings. He will most likely line up for a start against the Milwaukee Brewers early next week and is worth a speculative add in deeper leagues.
Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Ben Brown earned his first quality start of his career in a no-decision on Monday versus the Arizona Diamondbacks. Brown went six innings and allowed one hit, one run, two walks and struck out four on the evening. The rookie has been very impressive since filling in for the injured Justin Steele (hamstring). Steele is still a few weeks away from returning, but fellow starter Jameson Taillon (back) is returning this week and the question around the Cubs has been who will he be replacing. Brown has earned another turn in the rotation, but managers will want to wait and see how Taillon's return effects the rotation. If Brown were to remain in the rotation, he would face a weak Miami Marlins lineup this weekend and would be worthy of rostering in deeper leagues.
Justin Steele To 15-Day IL; Cubs Recall Top Prospect Ben Brown
Chicago Cubs left-hander Justin Steele (hamstring) hit the 15-day injured list Saturday with a Grade 1 hamstring strain. In a corresponding news report, the team has decided to recall top prospect Ben Brown from the Iowa Cubs. Brown, a 24-year-old righty, features a full arsenal. Last year, he was 6-8 with a 5.33 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, and 100 strikeouts in 72 innings across AA and AAA. Brown dominated Double-A before having some struggles adapting to Triple-A last season. His role on the Cubs could be clearer, but manager Craig Counsell suggested they were not altering the rotation. Expect Brown to be available in relief over the next couple of days, with an expectation that he could start a game next week in Steele's place against the Colorado Rockies. According to Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic, Steele will miss all of April. Brown was excellent in the spring, garnering a .64 ERA in 14 innings with only five walks and 12 strikeouts, and is a speculative add in deep leagues.
The Chicago Cubs are calling up right-handed pitching prospect Ben Brown. Ranked as the team's No. 10 prospect by MLB Pipeline, the 24-year-old was the Cubs' 33rd-round pick, No. 983 overall, in the 2017 MLB Draft and began his professional career that same year. Brown has worked his way up in the minor-league ladder since, reaching Triple-A in 2023 where he tossed a 5.33 ERA across 22 outings (15 starts) and 72 2/3 innings of work. A big-time strikeout artist, Brown posted a massive 31.1% K% at Triple-A last season but he also walked a whopping 15.8% of the batters he faced at that level. However, he hasn't had substantial control issues in the past, meaning fantasy managers could tap into his strikeout potential if he can work his way into the Cubs' rotation on a full-time basis.
