Ben Brown's Major League debut creates confusion on role with Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs wasted no time in having highly-touted pitching prospect Ben Brown make his Major League debut as the right-hander appeared in the team's loss to the Texas Rangers on Saturday night.

Brown pitched a scoreless frame in the seventh inning but struggled with his command in the eighth inning. When all was done, Brown was touched up for 6 runs on 5 hits and 2 walks in 1.2 innings of work.

At the end of the day, Brown's appearance on Saturday will not take away from the shine that he has in terms of being a potential answer in the starting rotation, however, that is where some confusion has been created.

With Brown getting the promotion to the Major League level, the expectation was that he would replace Justin Steele's spot in the starting rotation. Steele's next turn in the rotation is on Wednesday against the Colorado Rockies.

Ben Brown struggles in Chicago Cubs' debut.

The plan is still for Brown to pitch on Wednesday. Craig Counsell told reporters after the game on Saturday night that the current expectation is for Brown to get in the game on Wednesday against the Rockies and the possibility remains that he will be the starting pitcher.

Cubs fans undoubtedly have a magnifying glass on every move that Counsell considering the $40MM contract he signed with the team during the offseason. Combine that with the fact that the Cubs opened the season against the defending World Series champions and are already down their ace for the next month, it's been an uneasy start to the season for fans.

The first home series of the regular season this week against the Rockies will serve as the perfect reset for the Cubs and for Brown as he continues the start of his Major League game.

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