Cubs Pitcher Ben Brown Suffers Setback, Putting His Potential Return On Pause
After a promising recovery took a dark turn in Arizona, the breakout right-hander faces a potential season-ending shutdown that threatens Chicago's late-season bullpen reinforcements.
Video Transcript
What is up, Cubs fans?
And welcome back to Cubs Roundtable.
I'm Joey Polizzi, talking about all things Cubs.
And the Cubs were hoping that Ben Brown would be able to return for the stretch run.
He was making significant progress from a neck injury that he suffered in late June, throwing the live hitters.
Also appeared in a bridge game on Tuesday night, throwing two innings, 34 pitches.
Obviously, how he responded after that bridge game was gonna be big in determining what the next steps are for Ben Brown.
If all went well, there was a possibility the Cubs could send him on a rehab assignment here within the next week.
Unfortunately, though, Ben Brown woke up with some neck symptoms, and obviously that's not great news for Ben Brown, who was hoping to make an appearance at a rehab assignment here very soon.
Obviously, setback at this point in the season, not great at all by any means.
And now Brown will head back to Chicago and meet with doctors to determine the next step.
Obviously, all this is not, not great news.
The Cubs were obviously hoping that Ben Brown could be healthy enough in the final weeks to contribute down the stretch in the regular season, potentially in the playoffs out of the Cubs bullpen.
He was phenomenal, Ben Brown, this season before his injury.
A sub-two ERA, really good in the bullpen, really good as a starter.
But this latest setback could prevent Ben Brown from returning to the Cubs this season.
Obviously, the Cubs are kind of in a wait and see mode approach right now, and won't know the full extent of what happened with Brown until he meets with doctors back in Chicago.
So not great news for Ben Brown here on Wednesday.
The Cubs are still expected to get some reinforcements down the stretch in their bullpen.
Justin Steele making good progress from his flexor strain, and Shelby Miller looking really good on his rehab assignment with the Triple A club down in Iowa.
So those two should be back very soon.
But for Ben Brown, faces an uphill battle for sure to return this season.
But let me know what you guys think about Ben Brown's latest setback.
And as always, guys, go Cubs go.
