Cubs' downward spiral continues after surprise Ben Brown injury news

The ink isn't even dry on the Chicago Cubs' transaction log, confirming Edward Cabrera has been placed on the IL, and the team has yet another pitching injury. Just minutes before the Cubs starter their doubleheader against the New York Mets on Wednesday, the team dropped the news out of nowhere that Ben Brown is also headed to the IL.

Brown is dealing with a neck strain, and in itself, that should be a concern. Dating back to the 2024 season, the Cubs placed Brown on the IL with a similar injury. Further testing eventually confirmed that Brown was dealing with a pinched nerve that ultimately cost him the remainder of the season.

The Cubs obviously aren't at that point yet, but given the history, it's understandable if Cubs fans are concerned. Taking Brown's placed on the 26-man roster is up-and-down arm Gavin Hollowell.

Ben Brown's injury may be the final nail in the Cubs' coffin

Brown's success with the Cubs this season has put the team in a conundrum. On one hand, he's clearly emerged as legitimate candidate to remain in the starting rotation, and he been the team's de facto ace for the better part of a month. The problem is that reality also points to the number of pitchers the Cubs having on the IL, including Cade Horton, Justin Steele, Edward Cabrera, and Matthew Boyd.

Through 68 innings pitched this season, Brown is holding a 1.85 ERA while striking out over 24% of the hitters he faced. It's reached the point where it was obvious that Brown was the last pitcher the Cubs could stand to lose from their rotation.

The season is not entirely lost for the Cubs, but it's hard to imagine a scenario where that outcome isn't inevitable. Even with Boyd returning on Thursday, the Cubs will once again be without three-fifths of their starting rotation for at least the next couple of weeks.

In case it wasn't clear already, the Cubs don't have the pitching depth to navigate those waters. It goes without saying that Jed Hoyer and Co. need to be scouring the trade market for any deal that is possible right now, but any move would be just getting the Cubs back to a point where they can field a competent starting rotation for the rest of the season. That doesn't bode well for the team in October, if they even make it to that point.

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