Cubs' starting rotation crisis somehow hits new low with Ben Brown injury update

Just when it seemed like everything had fallen into place for Chicago Cubs right-hander Ben Brown, the neck issue that cut his 2024 season short once again reared its ugly head this summer, ending his breakout 2026 campaign and leaving a gaping hole in an already-shorthanded Cubs' rotation.

We hadn't gotten much in terms of updates since, but finally have news on Brown's 2027 status. He underwent a procedure this week that delays his offseason throwing program, but should still have him game-ready early in the season.

At this week's GM Meetings in Las Vegas, Cubs general manager Carter Hawkins was asked about Brown by Marquee Sports Network's Elise Menaker. Obviously, it seems like the surgery has already taken place, but the sentiment is clear: the team was out of alternatives when it comes to getting Brown 100 percent healthy and is hoping this helps him put this issue behind him.

"Feels like every time we really get in a groove with him there's a setback, so we're likely to move forward with the surgical option for him to really try and make sure we nip this in the bud and have him back to full strength, so that's a process that's going on right now. We'll update that when we get more information but expect him to pitch for us next year."

After being forced into the Cubs' rotation plans because of injuries to other pitchers this year, Brown made eight starts and looked the part of an ace, posting a 1.70 ERA across 42 1/3 innings of work. He also made a dozen relief appearances, and was rock-solid out of the pen, carrying a 2.10 ERA across 25 2/3 frames.

Cubs' 2027 pitching hopes can't hinge on Ben Brown being fully healthy

The hope is that Brown will be a productive member of the pitching staff in 2027, but as we learned with Justin Steele this year, hopes do not necessarily reflect reality. Steele, who the Cubs expected to be at least a piece of the puzzle in 2026, wound up missing the entire season after suffering multiple setbacks in his recovery from elbow surgery.

Steele aside, Brown has never paired results and workload in his MLB career. He eclipsed 100 innings once, in 2025, but struggled badly, posting a 5.92 ERA and 1.439 WHIP. He was lights-out in 2026, but threw a total of 68 innings - a far cry from what you hope for out of a legitimate rotation piece.

I'm not saying Brown won't be back next year or that he won't put it all together, because that's certainly possible. But the Cubs are past the point of trying to piece together a rotation on thoughts and prayers. Given this latest update, Jed Hoyer simply cannot come up short in his publicly-stated offseason goal of reshaping his team's starting rotation.

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