Ben Brown - Page 12 - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Allows three runs in spring start Brown allowed three runs on four hits across 3.2 innings in Thursday's Cactus League game against the Royals. He struck out five.

Impact Brown picked up the start when Justin Steele (illness) was scratched before the contest. Brown is competing as a starter this spring, and while the lefty has tallied nine strikeouts in just eight innings so far, he's also allowed six runs on a whopping 13 hits. The 25-year-old will have to be a bit sharper if he wants to earn a rotation spot. Brown will still likely begin the year in the bullpen, though he could pick up some starts down the road.

MARCH 7, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Competing as starter Manager Craig Counsell said Brown has hit the ground running in camp and he's being evaluated as a starting pitcher, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Impact "Ultimately, you're trying to develop starters," Counsell said. "That's really valuable. The elite back-end guy, they're super-valuable, too. It's knowing that we got a good pitcher there and figuring out what to do. That's what we'll have to, at some point, make decisions on. But right now, it's a starter for Ben." It's looking more and more likely that Javier Assad (oblique) will have to start the year on the injured list, in which case it would be one of Brown, Colin Rea or Jordan Wicks opening the year as the Cubs' fifth starter. Brown obviously has the highest fantasy ceiling of that bunch, as but he's still mostly a two-pitch guy, although his top two pitches (fastball, curveball) are easily plus. He's been working on his changeup this spring and if he's clearly the best option, it would be hard for the Cubs to exclude Brown and his strikeout stuff from a starting rotation that had the 25th best strikeout rate (21.1 percent) in baseball.

FEBRUARY 25, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Could be a bullpen option While Brown saw some time in the rotation last season, he could be a full-time bullpen option for the Cubs in 2025, Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic report.

Impact Brown made 15 appearances for the Cubs last year, including eight starts, and posted a 3.58 ERA and 64 strikeouts across 55.1 innings. It's a small sample, but the 25-year-old flashed some potential, and he displayed a fastball that clocked in at an average of 96.5 mph. There's some belief that Brown's velocity could tick up if he shifts to a full-time bullpen role, which could make him an interesting weapon for Chicago. The righty will have to compete for a job in spring training, though he does have some interesting upside heading into the season.

FEBRUARY 9, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared for normal offseason Brown (neck) has been cleared for a normal offseason throwing program, Sahadev Sharma and Patrick Mooney of The Athletic report.

Impact Brown's final appearance of the 2024 season came in early June, as he was eventually shut down with a benign area of concern in his neck. However, after recently undergoing a scan on his neck he has been given the go-ahead to proceed with his regular offseason routine. Brown could be in the mix for an Opening Day rotation spot with the Cubs.

NOVEMBER 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Will have neck examined Brown will undergo a scan on his neck in mid-November, with the hope that he will be cleared to throw without restrictions this offseason, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune...

Impact Brown didn't pitch after early June this season due to a benign area of concern in his neck. The Cubs seem optimistic that he will head into spring training healthy, but they won't know for sure until the results of the exam are in. Brown split time between the rotation and bullpen with the Cubs in 2024, holding a 3.58 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 64:19 K:BB over 55.1 innings. If healthy, he would likely compete for a spot in the rotation in 2025.

NOVEMBER 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Likely done for season Cubs manager Craig Counsell acknowledged Wednesday that Brown (neck) is unlikely to return from the 60-day injured list this season, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune report...

Impact On the shelf since June 11 with a stress reaction in his neck, Brown resumed throwing shortly after landing on the IL, but he's been shut down on two occasions since that while continuing to experience lingering discomfort. The rookie right-hander remains at the Cubs' complex in Arizona for his rehab program, but he's not yet doing much pitching work and doesn't look like he'll be able to complete a throwing progression within the next month to put himself in position to join Chicago even as a relief option late in the season. Brown generated a 3.58 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 64:19 K:BB over 55.1 innings spanning 15 appearances (eight starts) this season prior to suffering the injury. He should be ready to go for spring training and will have a chance to stake a claim to a rotation spot.

AUGUST 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Shutting down Ben Brown is the latest detour for the Cubs' young pitchers CLEVELAND - Right-hander Ben Brown’s timeline to rejoin the Chicago Cubs has become murky. Brown has...

AUGUST 13, 2024 • THESTATE.COM

Shut down from throwing Manager Craig Counsell said Monday that Brown (neck) has been shut down from throwing "for the time being," Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

Impact Brown continues to experience lingering discomfort in his neck that has kept him on the injured list since June 11. Counsell did note that the situation is not season-ending, and he expressed confidence that rest will be enough for Brown to recover, per Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune.

AUGUST 12, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Moved to 60-day IL The Cubs transferred Brown (neck) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Impact The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for Christian Bethancourt. Brown now isn't eligible for activation until mid-August, but he hadn't seemed likely to return before then.

JULY 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Moved to 60-day IL The Cubs transferred Brown (neck) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day injured list Friday, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Impact The move frees up a spot on the 40-man roster for Christian Bethancourt. Brown now isn't eligible for activation until mid-August, but he hadn't seemed likely to return before then, anyway.

JULY 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Resuming mound work Brown (neck) will throw a bullpen session Friday, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Impact Brown had to be shut down for a bit due to lingering discomfort in his neck, but he appears to be feeling better. The right-hander hasn't made a game appearance in six weeks, so he's going to need several rehab outings before becoming an option for the Cubs again.

JULY 19, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Still experiencing symptoms Brown is still experiencing lingering discomfort in his neck, Taylor McGregor of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Impact Brown has been shelved since mid-June with a neck strain and does not appear to have made much progress. He had been cleared to resume throwing in late June, but it's uncertain what the current status is of his throwing program.

JULY 10, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Throwing bullpen Saturday Manager Craig Counsell said Saturday that Brown (neck) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Impact Brown was cleared to resume throwing last week, and Saturday will mark his first time working of a mound since landing on the injured list June 11 with a left neck strain. The 24-year-old righty remains without a firm return timeline, though he will likely require another bullpen session or two before moving onto facing live hitters.

JUNE 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Throwing bullpen Saturday Manager Craig Counsell said Saturday that Brown (neck) will throw a bullpen session Saturday, Andy Martinez of Marquee Sports Network reports.

Impact Brown was cleared to resume throwing last week, and Saturday will mark his first time working off a mound since he landed on the injured list June 11 with a left neck strain. The 24-year-old righty remains without a firm return timeline, though he will likely require another bullpen session or two before moving on to facing live hitters.

JUNE 29, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Cubs place RHP Ben Brown on 15-day IL with neck strain

Chicago Cubs right-hander Ben Brown has been placed on the 15-day injured list with a left neck strain

JUNE 11, 2024 • Associated Press

Ben Brown leads priority fantasy pickups Every fantasy season is a mess in its own unique way, but baseball has really outdone itself in 2024. We are only one-third of the way throu...

MAY 31, 2024 • MLB.COM

Brown dominates with 7 no-hit frames, helped by Bellinger's incredible robbery MILWAUKEE -- When Ben Brown took the mound on Tuesday, it was just his sixth career start and his first time facing the rival Milwaukee Brew...

MAY 29, 2024 • MLB.COM

Cubs rookie Ben Brown has held Brewers hitless through 6 innings Chicago Cubs right-hander Ben Brown has held the Milwaukee Brewers without a hit through the first six innings of their game Tuesday

MAY 29, 2024 • SANDIEGOUNIONTRIBUNE.COM

Receiving another start Brown is scheduled to start Tuesday's game against the Brewers at American Family Field.

Impact Brown made his fifth start of the season and his first since May 2 in his last appearance Thursday versus Atlanta, striking out six over four scoreless innings while working around one hit and two walks. Because he had been working out of the bullpen over the preceding three weeks and took the mound versus Atlanta on three days' rest, Brown had his workload monitored carefully, as he was pulled after 66 pitches despite mowing down the opposing lineup. Brown should be able to provide the Cubs with more length when he takes the hill Tuesday, but his run in the Chicago rotation may not last much longer, with Jordan Wicks (forearm) nearing a return from the 15-day injured list.

MAY 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Drawing start Thursday Cubs manager Craig Counsell said that Brown will start Thursday's game against Atlanta at Wrigley Field, Tim Stebbins of MLB.com reports.

Impact Brown will pick up his fifth start of the season, filling the spot in the rotation that belonged to Kyle Hendricks before the veteran right-hander was moved to the bullpen earlier this week. Because he hasn't started since May 2 and will be pitching on three days' rest after covering two frames in relief Sunday, Brown may not be asked to give the Cubs more than three or four innings as he re-enters the rotation. Hendricks hasn't been used since his last start Friday and could be called upon to piggyback Brown, but Counsell hasn't outlined his plans for when Brown exits the contest. Brown may not be in line for a lengthy stay in the rotation, as the Cubs could get Jordan Wicks (forearm) back from the injured list next week to take over as their No. 5 starter.

MAY 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Cubs' Ben Brown, aiming for rotation spot, has studied Corbin Burnes and Brandon Woodruff Brown hopes to follow the path of two starters who rose to stardom for the Brewers while pitching for current Cubs manager Craig Counsell.

MAY 12, 2024 • THEATHLETIC.COM

Available in relief Cubs manager Craig Counsell said Monday that Brown will be available out of the bullpen for the series against the Padres, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports.

Impact It's possible Brown will get another start eventually, but for now he will shift to the bullpen upon the return of Justin Steele (hamstring). That means Hayden Wesneski should retain his spot in the Cubs' rotation for the time being.

MAY 6, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Headed to bullpen or Triple-A Brown is not slated to start for the Cubs in this week's series against the Padres, Jeff Sanders of The San Diego Union-Tribune reports.

Impact It seems like Hayden Wesneski beat out Brown for the fifth starter's spot, at least until Kyle Hendricks (back) gets activated. Brown had a 5.40 ERA and 1.80 WHIP in 8.1 innings over his last two starts. He doesn't have great numbers this year as a reliever (7.27 ERA, 1.50 WHIP), so perhaps Brown will join the Triple-A Iowa rotation once Justin Steele (hamstring) is activated Monday.

MAY 5, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Long Island native Brown relishes dream at Citi, if not the outcome NEW YORK -- Cubs right-hander Ben Brown saw his wish come true on Thursday afternoon. The Long Island native and No. 9 prospect in the organ...

MAY 2, 2024 • MLB.COM

Chicago Cubs' Ben Brown tosses 4 2/3 shutout innings in first MLB start SAN DIEGO - Ben Brown’s rough major-league debut could have been the precursor to a potentially tough transition as he made the jump from th...

APRIL 10, 2024 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

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Cubs place RHP Ben Brown on 15-day IL with neck strain