Chicago Cubs right-hander Ben Brown underwent successful cervical spine surgery in New York to address a lingering neck injury, sidelining him from throwing activities until early next year with a targeted return during the first half of the 2027 Major League Baseball season.
Ben Brown Undergoes Successful Cervical Spine Surgery
Chicago Cubs pitcher Ben Brown underwent successful cervical spine surgery Monday in New York, according to sources. The operation addressed a lingering neck issue that forced him out of action in late June. ESPN reported that the procedure involved the C5 vertebra, located in the middle region of the neck, following a similar physical issue that initially appeared back in 2024.
Cubs general manager Carter Hawkins told Marquee Sports Elise Menaker that the organization was likely to move forward with the surgical option earlier that morning, though the procedure had already taken place, MLB Trade Rumors reported. Tony Crumpton of CubsHQ.com noted that Brown is expected to begin a throwing progression early in 2027 and could be game-ready during the first half of the upcoming season.
Breakout Performance Interrupted by Injury
The medical intervention caps a frustrating end to what had otherwise become a breakout 2026 campaign for the 27-year-old right-hander. CubsHQ reported that Brown posted an impressive 1.85 ERA over 20 appearances and 68 innings before the neck problem halted his season. MLB Trade Rumors detailed that after beginning the year in the bullpen, Brown shifted to the rotation in early May and delivered dominant numbers.
From May 8 through June 19, Brown pitched 42 1/3 innings featuring a 1.70 ERA, a 25% strikeout rate, a 6.7% walk rate, and a 40.7% ground-ball rate. His career path prior to 2026 included a 3.58 ERA over 55 1/3 innings during his 2024 debut, followed by a difficult 2025 season where he finished with a 5.92 ERA across 106 1/3 innings, according to CubsHQ data.
Pitching Staff Faces Depletion During Offseason
Brown’s extended absence exacerbates a heavily depleted Chicago pitching staff entering the offseason. MLB Trade Rumors reported that the team saw Matthew Boyd, Kevin Gausman, Clay Holmes, David Peterson, Shota Imanaga, and Colin Rea reach free agency at the end of the year. Top starter Justin Steele has not pitched since April 2025 due to a torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) and subsequent rehabilitation setbacks.
Cade Horton, the runner-up for the 2025 National League Rookie of the Year award, underwent his own UCL surgery this past April and is projected to miss much of the 2027 campaign, per MLB Trade Rumors. President of baseball operations Jed Hoyer faces the dual task of refilling an depleted pitching staff and replacing corner outfielders Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki before potential transactional freezes take effect.
Brown Remains Under Club Control Through 2030
Once healthy, Brown remains under club control for another four seasons through 2030 and is eligible for arbitration for the first time this winter as a Super Two player, with a projected salary of $1.3 million, according to MLB Trade Rumors.
References
- ESPN: Cubs starter Brown undergoes spine surgery, sources say
- MLB Trade Rumors: Cubs’ Ben Brown Undergoes Neck Surgery
- CubsHQ: Ben Brown undergoes neck surgery, timetable for return revealed
