3 Cubs relievers who need to step up with Ben Brown's season in jeopardy

The Chicago Cubs were just dealt some devastating news regarding Ben Brown's potential return. Just when Brown was on the verge of a rehab assignment, Brown's neck injury symptoms resurfaced, likely ending his chance of returning in 2026. The news puts even more pressure on the Cubs' bullpen, which is suddenly in a precarious situation with Jacob Webb blowing back-to-back saves recently.

Although a starter for most of the first half, Brown's late-season return would have seen him return as a reliever. A job where he could have delivered clutch outs in high-leverage spots in September and the playoffs. But now that he is likely out of the picture for the rest of this year, these arms will have to step up as the Cubs look to make a deep playoff run.

Here is who the Cubs will need to step in the bullpen after Ben Brown's latest setback

Ryan Zeferjahn

The most obvious guy who needs to be better is Ryan Zeferjahn. The Cubs gave up Moises Ballesteros, a major-league-ready hitter, and intriguing minor-league pitcher Mason McGwire to acquire Zeferjahn from the Angels. With his blazing fastball and the nasty movement on his pitches, the idea was that Zeferjahn would be a key setup man in the back of the bullpen.

Unfortunately, he hasn't lived up to those expectations so far. Zeferjahn has already surrendered 11 hits, four walks, and six earned runs in just eight innings of work in a Cubs uniform. He also committed a costly mistake in last Friday's game against the Mariners, which likely cost the Cubs a series win on the road. The Cubs gave up a lot to get this guy, and he's talented enough to be a high-leverage dude. He just needs to be better.

Daniel Palencia

I'm not one of the people jumping on the Daniel Palencia concern train right now. The guy just came back from the injured list and has made two appearances since his return. One of them was a shutdown inning with two strikeouts, and the other saw him give up three earned runs that led to the Diamondbacks' walk -off win on Tuesday.

To be fair, I think Arizona's Gabriel Moreno got a little lucky on a check-swing, two-out double that probably is a foul ball more times than not. Regardless, I think it's too early to say Palencia is untrustworthy right now. He has the stuff and confidence needed to be a closer, a job we've seen him successfully hold in MLB recently. The main thing I think Palencia needs to do is stay healthy.

Trent Thornton

I know you're probably thinking that Trent Thornton has already stepped up big time this year. And you would be correct. In fact, the 32-year-old is enjoying the most successful stretch of his big-league career right now, with a 2.32 ERA and 1.05 WHIP across 42 2/3 innings pitched.

Those numbers are more than solid. I guess with Brown on the shelf, Webb struggling and Zeferjahn not panning out so far, there is a lot of pressure on Thornton to keep being the guy he has been in 2026. That includes in the playoffs, which Thornton has never pitched in during his seven-year career.

It's a tall order for a guy who doesn't strike out a lot of batters (15.2 K rate through 41 games) and relies on ground-ball outs. But the circumstances call for Thornton to continue carving out a late-inning role for himself and limiting damage.

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