Fantasy News

• Cubs' Ben Brown: Heads to bullpen

  Rotowire Apr 22, 2024

  Brown worked in relief in the second game of a doubleheader Saturday in the Cubs' 5-3 win over the Marlins, striking out three over two scoreless innings while allowing two hits and no walks. Though he gave up just one earned run over 10.2 innings while making his last two appearances as a starter, Brown lost his spot in the rotation after Jameson Taillon (back) made his return from the 15-day injured list Friday. According to Kyle Williams of the Chicago Sun-Times, manager Craig Counsell said after the doubleheader that he expects Brown to "make a lot of starts for us" this season, but the rookie right-hander looks like he'll have to settle for a bullpen role for now despite his early success in the rotation.

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• Cubs' Ben Brown: Produces quality start

  Rotowire Apr 16, 2024

  Brown allowed one run on a hit and two walks over six innings in a no-decision Monday. He struck out four in the Cubs' win over Arizona. After coughing up an RBI single in the second inning, Brown retired the final 13 batters he faced. He was crushed for six runs through just 1.2 frames in his MLB debut March 30 but has since given up just two runs over 14.2 innings. With Monday's solid outing, he dropped his ERA to 4.41 with a 15:6 K:BB through his first four appearances. With Jameson Taillon (back) expected to return in the coming days, Brown's role with the Cubs isn't set in stone.

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• Cubs' Ben Brown: Awarded second start

  Rotowire Apr 15, 2024

  Brown is scheduled to start Monday's game against the Diamondbacks in Arizona. Though Jameson Taillon (back) looks to be in line to return from the 15-day injured list later this week to join the Chicago rotation, Brown will get at least one more turn on the heels of a strong first MLB start April 9 in San Diego. After making his first two appearances in bulk relief, Brown covered 4.2 innings in his start versus the Padres and struck out five while allowing zero runs on three hits and one walk. Another solid effort Monday against the reigning National League champions could make it tough for the Cubs to justify keeping Brown out of the rotation, even with Taillon's return being imminent.

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• Cubs' Ben Brown: Blanks Padres in first start

  Rotowire Apr 10, 2024

  Brown didn't factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing three hits and one walk over 4.2 scoreless innings against San Diego. He struck out five. After coming out of the bullpen in his first two appearances, Brown took the ball for his first career start. He was held to just 77 pitches and isn't quite fully stretched out after throwing 44 and 52 pitches in his first two outings. However, after yielding six runs in 1.2 innings during his MLB debut, Brown has rebounded with one run allowed in his last 8.2 frames and seems to have the hold on Justin Steele's (hamstring) slot in the rotation. Brown's tentatively expected to take the mound Monday against the Diamondbacks for his next start.

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• Cubs' Ben Brown: Slated to start Tuesday

  Rotowire Apr 9, 2024

  The Cubs list Brown as their probable starting pitcher for Tuesday's game in San Diego. Brown pitched out of the bullpen in his first two appearances with the Cubs, so Tuesday's start will be the first of his major-league career. The 24-year-old struggled mightily in his MLB debut, allowing six runs in 1.2 innings against the Rangers, but he bounced back with four innings of one-run ball against the Rockies last week. Brown impressed in spring training and looks promising in the long term, but he will be a high-risk option against a Padres team that ranks second in scoring offense so far this season behind only the Dodgers.

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• Cubs' Ben Brown: Fans five in bulk-relief role

  Rotowire Apr 4, 2024

  Brown pitched four innings against Colorado on Wednesday, allowing one run on three hits and one walk while striking out five batters. He did not factor in the decision. Brown was blown up in his first big-league outing last weekend, allowing six runs in 1.2 innings against Texas. He was much better in his second appearance, racking up five punchouts in four frames while allowing just one run. He served as a bulk reliever in the contest, following opener Luke Little's one inning of work, and was in line for the win before the Cubs' bullpen blew a late lead. Despite that lost opportunity, this was an excellent bounce-back for Brown, and it will likely result in him getting another chance to pitch the next time the injured Justin Steele's (hamstring) spot comes up in the rotation, though it's unclear if Brown will work in bulk relief again or move into a traditional starting role.

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• Cubs' Ben Brown: Expected to receive call-up

  Rotowire Mar 30, 2024

  Brown is no longer with Triple-A Iowa and is expected to be called up by the Cubs, Tommy Birch of The Des Moines Register reports. The Cubs have not announced their rotation plans beyond Monday when Shota Imanaga is scheduled to pitch. However, it sounds like Brown could end up starting a game in the home series against the Rockies next week in the absence of Justin Steele (hamstring). Brown, a 6-foot-6 right-hander, impressed in spring training with only one earned run allowed and 12 strikeouts in 14 Cactus League innings. His numbers fell off after a move up to Triple-A last season, but he racked up 130 strikeouts in just 92.2 innings across the two highest levels of the minors in 2023.

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• Cubs' Ben Brown: Optioned to Triple-A

  Rotowire Mar 8, 2024

  Brown was optioned to Triple-A Iowa by the Cubs on Friday, Meghan Montemurro of the Chicago Tribune reports. Brown could wind up spending time in the Cubs' rotation in 2024, but for now he'll gain some more experience at Iowa. The 24-year-old right-hander spent the bulk of 2023 at Iowa, collecting a 5.33 ERA and 100:51 K:BB over 72.2 innings.

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• Cubs' Ben Brown: Managing oblique issue

  Rotowire Aug 16, 2023

  Brown was placed on the 7-day injured list at Triple-A Iowa on Aug. 2 Brown appeared to find his groove at Triple-A with three runs allowed over 15 frames in his last three starts prior to landing on the injured list. The 23-year-old is one of the Cubs' top pitching prospects and could make his major-league debut by the end of the season if he's able to get healthy in time.

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• Cubs' Ben Brown: Walk machine for Iowa

  Rotowire Jul 12, 2023

  Brown has a 5.76 ERA, 1.58 WHIP and 74 strikeouts in 50 innings across 12 starts for Triple-A Iowa. Brown's 15 percent walk rate and 1.6 HR/9 have resulted in ugly numbers despite a 32.7 percent strikeout rate. There have always been control/reliever concerns with Brown, and while he dominated in four Double-A starts to open the year, those concerns appear to be as real as ever for the 23-year-old righty.

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• Cubs' Ben Brown: Bumps up to Triple-A

  Rotowire May 1, 2023

  The Cubs promoted Brown from Double-A Tennessee to Triple-A Iowa on Saturday. Brown received the call to Triple-A after the Cubs summoned Caleb Kilian from Iowa to make a spot start this past weekend. Though Kilian has since been optioned back to Iowa, Brown looks like he'll keep a spot in the Triple-A rotation after he was unchallenged over his first four starts this season at Double-A. Over 20 innings with Tennessee, Brown compiled an 0.45 ERA, 0.95 WHIP and 30:6 K:BB.

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• Cubs' Ben Brown: Sent packing to Double-A

  Rotowire Mar 10, 2023

  Brown was optioned to Double-A Tennessee by the Cubs on Friday. Brown was added to the Cubs' 40-man roster over the winter after being acquired from the Phillies in the David Robertson trade. He'll join Tennessee's rotation.

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