Cubs Get Bad News on Ben Brown Injury Update
On Jun. 11, rookie right-hander Ben Brown was put on the 15-day IL with a left neck strain. Brown has had his ups and downs in his first 15 appearances (eight starts) this season. He currently has a 3.58 ERA with 64 strikeouts and 19 walks.
Although Brown has struggled with allowing runs, his strikeout-to-walk ratio is impressive. It's possible his ERA would lower with more appearances.
Sadly, it doesn't look like we will see Brown back anytime soon after the news manager Craig Counsell shared on Friday.
Cubs News: Ben Brown Diagnosed with a Stress Reaction in Neck
Chicago Cubs pitcher Ben Brown has been diagnosed with a stress reaction in his neck, manager Craig Counsell said: “We’re still trying to figure out how long and what it means and what he can do. It’s a unique injury for a pitcher, so we’re trying to just get some more opinions.”
— Patrick Mooney (@PJ_Mooney) June 14, 2024
Counsell explained the uniqueness of Brown's injury to the media, saying, "We're still trying to figure out how long and what it means and what he can do. It's a unique injury for a pitcher, so we're trying to just get so more opinions."
Neck injuries are serious business and should not be taken lightly, so it's good to hear that the Cubs are getting as many doctors' opinions as possible on Brown's injury. There is a chance that doctors may advise Brown to sit for an extended period or possibly the whole season.
Hopefully, that's not the outcome, though, because Brown is an exciting young pitcher, and losing his arm for the rest of the season would hurt the Cubs' chances of getting back in the division race.
If it wasn't already clear enough, the uncertainty around Brown's timetable to return highlights in bright red that the Cubs need to trade for a pitcher. With the trade deadline coming up in a month and a half, they need to make a move soon.
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