Chicago Cubs right-hander Ben Brown will open the 2025 season as the team's fifth starter, according to The Athletic's Sahadev Sharma. Brown will be afforded a rotation spot to open the season after Javier Assad (oblique) was injured in spring training. The 25-year-old appeared in relief in the season opener in Tokyo, Japan, last week against the Los Angeles Dodgers and was hit with a loss after giving up three runs (two earned) over 2 2/3 innings. Brown didn't fare too well in spring training, either, posting a 6.75 ERA with 13 hits allowed (one homer), one walk and nine strikeouts in eight innings over three Cactus League outings (two starts). He held his own in his rookie season in 2024 with a 3.58 ERA, 1.08 WHIP and 64:19 K:BB in 15 outings (eight starts) before a neck injury cut his season short. There's some intriguing swing and miss to Brown's arsenal, particularly his knuckle-curve, making him worth a dart throw in deep-mixed leagues for depth.

Chicago Cubs pitcher Ben Brown was the first arm out of the bullpen for manager Craig Counsell in the team's 4-1 loss against the Dodgers in Tokyo on Tuesday morning. While the young righty took the loss by giving up three runs (two earned) in 2 2/3 innings, he also showed why the Cubs are high on him by striking out five, including getting Shohei Ohtani swinging to end the sixth inning with a runner in scoring position. The fact that Brown threw 65 pitches even with plenty of options available behind him in the bullpen seems to indicate that the Cubs plan on using him as their fifth starter to begin the season after placing Javier Assad (oblique) on the injured list.

Chicago Cubs right-hander Ben Brown will continue to be stretched out as a starter in camp because the team knows he could be a big X-factor for their starting rotation, The Athletic's Patrick Mooney writes. It makes more sense for Brown to increase his workload in spring training and be available at the start of the year if the Cubs need another starter, rather than immediately turning him into a high-leverage reliever. It's always easier to move a pitcher to the bullpen later on than to try to ramp back up towards 100 pitches. If the 25-year-old is in a rotation spot for Chicago, the 6-foot-6 right-hander has plenty of fantasy upside with his swing-and-miss stuff, although the fact he still has a minor-league option remaining could make him the odd-man out. A neck injury limited him in 2024, but he also threw seven no-hit innings against the Brewers in May.

With Chicago Cubs right-hander Javier Assad (oblique) potentially opening the season on the injured list, right-hander Ben Brown is competing with Colin Rea and Jordan Wicks for the No. 5 starting rotation spot to open the 2025 campaign. Brown dealt with a nagging neck injury that ended his season early in 2024, but the injury is behind him now. "Very pleased with how Ben looks and feels. No restrictions. Go after it and see where we're at," manager Craig Counsell said. Over his final 53 2/3 innings, the 25-year-old had a 2.68 ERA with a 30% strikeout rate and 8.1% walk rate. And of his 15 outings in 2024, eight were starts. If Brown makes the rotation, he'll have the best swing-and-miss stuff on the staff. Working against Brown, though, is the fact that he has minor-league options left, so the Cubs could opt to send him to Triple-A Iowa and keep him stretched out.

According to Patrick Mooney and Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic, Chicago Cubs right-handed pitcher Ben Brown (neck) could be deployed as a high-leverage reliever. Brown was sidelined since June of 2024 due to a neck injury but was cleared to have a normal throwing program during the offseason. However, given that the Cubs rotation has five stable options and recently brought in Colin Rea, Brown could be shifted to a relief role. Mooney and Sharma noted that Brown's fastball could take another step forward if he shifts to a relief role. However, the 25-year-old performed well as a starter during his rookie campaign and could make a case to earn the final spot in the rotation. Across 55 1/3 innings, Brown held a 3.58 ERA with a 1.08 WHIP. He struck out 28.8 percent of the batters he faced. If Brown were to shift to a high-leverage role, he could be a viable target in holds league as he would likely see time in the seventh or eighth innings alongside Porter Hodge.

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 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.

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.

Chicago Cubs pitching prospect Ben Brown struggled over 50 innings at the Triple-A level during the first half of the season, posting a 5.76 ERA and 1.58 WHIP, though he does own a 32.7% strikeout rate over 12 starts. His numbers across four starts in Double-A were much better, as he pitched to a 0.45 ERA and 0.95 WHIP. Brown's the third-best prospect in the club's system, according to MLB Pipeline, and he has the swing-and-miss stuff to succeed in the big leagues. At 23 years old, he should be up in the Majors next season, so fantasy managers in redraft formats can ignore him on the waiver wire. However, those in dynasty leagues should hold on to Brown in hopes he becomes the next ace in Chicago.

Chicago Cubs pitching prospectBen Browncontinued his season of volatility in a recent start with Triple-A Iowa. He walked six batters, struck out seven, and allowed two runs across four-and-one-thirds innings. After being promoted to Iowa in early May, the 23-year-old has a 4.18 ERA and 16% walk rate, but a 32.6% strikeout rate as well. His stuff is impressive, with three plus pitches (mid-90s fastball, low-90s slider, and mid-80s curveball), but his command needs work to be stashable in most fantasy leagues. While Brown's stuff should work well in their major-league bullpen, the Cubs may let him marinate for longer in the minors to allow him to debut as a starter.

Chicago Cubs pitching prospect Ben Brown continued his dominant 2023 campaign, striking out 10 over five shutout innings. The performance drops Brown's season ERA to 0.59 through six total outings, including a 0.84 ERA in two starts since being promoted to Triple-A Iowa last week. The 23-year-old is the Cubs' No. 7 overall prospect, per MLB Pipeline. 2024 remains the projected target for his MLB debut, but Brown may be promoted ahead of schedule if he continues to perform at this level. With above-average strikeout stuff (40.5% strikeout rate) and an upside as a middle-of-the-rotation starter, Brown is worth a speculative add in deeper fantasy formats.

Chicago Cubs pitching prospect Ben Brown was promoted from Double-A Tennessee to Triple-A Iowa over the weekend. Brown earned the promotion early in the season by being downright stingy in four starts for Tennessee. In 20 innings pitched, he allowed two runs (one earned) on 13 hits (one home run) while walking six and fanning 30 hitters. The 23-year-old right-hander is the club's No. 7 prospect, per MLB Pipeline, and he recorded a 3.38 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 36 walks and a career-high 149 strikeouts in 23 outings (22 starts) over 104 innings with Tennessee and High-A Jersey Shore in 2022. He stands at 6-foot-6 and has a power fastball and curveball to generate plenty of swings and misses. Brown's upside is as a mid-rotation starter or late-inning reliever at the MLB level.