Ben Brown earns Cubs Opening Day spot as pitching staff decisions come together

The impression from the Chicago Cubs optioning Javier Assad to Triple-A Iowa was that Ben Brown would make the team's Opening Day roster. Brown's last two Cactus League outings have come out of the bullpen, an indication that he was angling toward the final open spot on the team's pitching staff. Confirmation was provided on Monday when Counsell informed Brown that he made the team.

With Brown landing the final spot in the Cubs' bullpen, the pitching staff is set to open the season. It would also appear that the Cubs have already lined up their starting rotation for their first week of games.

Starting Rotation (5)

1. Matthew Boyd
2. Cade Horton
3. Shota Imanaga
4. Edward Cabrera
5. Jameson Taillon

For now, the Cubs aren't expected to his six-man rotation. With off days included during the first month of the regular season, there wouldn't be a need for the Cubs to stretch out the rotation. That certainly could change by the time Justin Steele returns to the rotation around June, though between potential injuries and regression, the answer will likely be obvious by that point of the regular season.

Bullpen (8)

1. Daniel Palencia (Closer)
2. Phil Maton
3. Hunter Harvey
4. Caleb Thielbar
5. Hoby Milner
6. Jacob Webb
7. Colin Rea
8. Ben Brown

At the start of spring training, no one would have earmarked Brown as the favorite to land the final spot in the bullpen. Between his need to develop a third pitch and the Cubs' maintaining belief he could be a long-term answer in the starting rotation, the early guesses were that he would remain stretched out as a starting pitcher while opening the season with Triple-A Iowa.

Instead, with the help of a new sinker, Brown forced the issue during spring training. Brown has posted a 2.63 ERA in a tick under 13 innings pitched this spring and has struck out nearly 32% of the hitters he faced. With a Cubs' pitching staff, especially in the bullpen, that has lacked swing-and-miss stuff in recent years, Brown could be an X-factor for the team in 2026.

There remains one open spot on the Cubs' Opening Day roster as the team rounds out its bench. Recent speculation has suggested that the Cubs may be looking for an extra infielder to fill that spot. Owen Miller, who spent spring training with the Cubs, could be an option, though Jed Hoyer and Co. likely will keep an eye on the waiver wire.