Ben Brown - Page 6 - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Nabs win Monday Brown allowed three runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five batters over five innings to earn the win over the Athletics on Monday.

Impact Brown wasn't exceptionally sharp in the outing, but he was backed by plenty of run support in the 18-3 Chicago victory. The right-hander threw 45 of 75 pitches for strikes and looked better than he did in his season debut, when he gave up three runs (two earned) over 2.2 frames out of the bullpen and took the loss against the Dodgers in Tokyo, Japan. Brown walked three batters in that brief appearance, so it was a step in the right direction for him to issue two free passes across five innings Monday.

APRIL 1 • ROTOWIRE

Kelly hits for cycle and Cubs power past Athletics 18-3 in 1st MLB game at Sutter Health Park

Carson Kelly hit for the cycle and drove in five runs, Michael Busch launched a two-run homer on the way to a career-high four RBIs, and the Chicago Cubs pounded the Athletics 18-3...

APRIL 1 • Associated Press

Athletics open 3-game series with the Cubs

The Athletics begin a three-game series at home against the Chicago Cubs on Monday

MARCH 31 • Associated Press

Diamondbacks rally for 8 runs in the eighth to beat the Cubs 10-6, split 4-game series

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hit a game-tying, two-run homer, Josh Naylor had the go-ahead RBI double and the Arizona Diamondbacks used an eight-run eighth inning to rally past the Chicago...

MARCH 30 • Associated Press

Chicago Cubs name RHP Ben Brown as the 5th starter while RHP Brad Keller makes the bullpen Ben Brown, 25, will open the season as the Chicago Cubs’ fifth starter in the rotation, coming off a great rookie season that was cut short...

MARCH 26 • CHICAGOTRIBUNE.COM

Cubs give Ben Brown chance to be a breakout pitcher in 2025 MLB season | Sporting News Chicago's right-handed starter has lots of promise.

MARCH 26 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Nabs rotation spot The Cubs informed Brown on Tuesday that he will begin the season as the club's No. 5 starter, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.

Impact The 25-year-old took the loss out of the bullpen in the season opener in Japan last week as he surrendered three runs (two earned) across 2.2 innings, but he apparently showed enough during camp to win the rotation spot. Brown started in eight of his 15 appearances as a rookie last year and had a 3.58 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 64:19 K:BB across 55.1 innings, and he may need to perform similarly this year to retain the rotation spot since Javier Assad (oblique) potentially returning early in the season.

MARCH 25 • ROTOWIRE

Still competing for fifth spot Brown remains in the mix for the Cubs' No. 5 rotation spot along with Colin Rea, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

Impact Brown took the loss in relief in Chicago's season-opening loss in Tokyo on Tuesday, but he could slot into the rotation once the Cubs begin the domestic portion of their season later this week. The veteran Rea seems like the favorite for the role, with Brown shifting to long relief, but manager Craig Counsell said he is still considering both pitchers. Javier Assad (oblique) could ultimately reclaim the spot once he returns, but either Brown or Rea should see a short-term boost in fantasy value, depending on whichever player is starting.

MARCH 23 • ROTOWIRE

Takes loss in opener Brown (0-1) allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits across 2.2 innings to take the loss in Tuesday's 4-1 defeat to the Dodgers in Tokyo. He walked three and struck out five.

Impact It was eventful 2025 debut for Brown, who followed starter Shota Imanaga after he tossed four scoreless innings. Brown was able to miss some bats, but the lefty also struggled with his control, which was a bit of an issue last year when he posted a 3.1 BB/9. Brown could be a starting option for the Cubs at some point this season, though for now he looks locked into a long-relief role.

MARCH 18 • ROTOWIRE

Yamamoto, Ohtani deliver in return to Japan, Dodgers beat the Cubs 4-1 in season opener

Yoshinobu Yamamoto threw five strong innings, Shohei Ohtani had two hits and scored twice and the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers beat the Chicago Cubs 4-1 in M...

MARCH 18 • Associated Press

Chicago Cubs Could Make Surprising Starting Rotation Decision Ben Brown could earn the fifth starting pitching job for the Chicago Cubs as the 2025 MLB season approaches.

MARCH 17 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

Won't be moved to bullpen right now The Cubs are expected to keep Brown stretched out as a starting pitcher rather than move him to the bullpen at the start of the season, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

Impact Brown might be on the outside looking in for a spot in the Cubs' Opening Day rotation, and it sounds as though the club would put Brown in the rotation at Triple-A Iowa to begin the season before it would stick him in the big-league bullpen. Even if the 25-year-old starts the year in the minors, he still has a good chance to spend a large portion of the year in the Cubs' rotation.

MARCH 7 • ROTOWIRE

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 • 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 • 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 • 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, anyway.

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.

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

BEN BROWN NEWS

NEWS

BIO

STATS

VIDEOS

GAME LOG

INJURIES

Kelly hits for cycle and Cubs power past Athletics 18-3 in 1st MLB game at Sutter Health Park

Athletics open 3-game series with the Cubs

Diamondbacks rally for 8 runs in the eighth to beat the Cubs 10-6, split 4-game series

Yamamoto, Ohtani deliver in return to Japan, Dodgers beat the Cubs 4-1 in season opener