Cubs' Ben Brown Undergoes Neck Surgery
MLB Trade Rumors • • sports
Key Points:
- Cubs right-hander Ben Brown underwent cervical spine surgery and is expected to be cleared to throw only by early 2027, with hopes to return during the first half of the 2027 season.
- The Cubs face a significant rotation shortage after losing multiple free agents and dealing with injuries to key pitchers like Justin Steele and Cade Horton, both recovering from UCL surgeries.
- Returning pitchers Edward Cabrera, Javier Assad, and Braxton Garrett are potential rotation options, but the overall staff remains thin and in need of reinforcement.
- Cubs President of Baseball Operations Jed Hoyer is prioritizing rotation rebuilding over corner outfield replacements amid an impending MLB lockout that will halt transactions.
- Brown showed exceptional performance before his injury in 2026, excelling both as a reliever and starter with a 1.70 ERA and strong strikeout and ground-ball rates over 42 1/3 innings.
