The Cubs’ rotation picture took another hit this week, and this one comes with a familiar name attached.
Ben Brown underwent a procedure that will push back the start of his offseason throwing program, though the expectation is still that he’ll be ready to pitch early in the season. That update surfaced after GM Meetings in Las Vegas, where Cubs general manager Carter Hawkins addressed Brown’s situation with Marquee Sports Network’s Elise Menaker.
“Feels like every time we really get in a groove with him there’s a setback, so we’re likely to move forward with the surgical option for him to really try and make sure we nip this in the bud and have him back to full strength, so that’s a process that’s going on right now. We’ll update that when we get more information but expect him to pitch for us next year.”
For the Cubs, the timing is brutal. Brown had been one of the bright spots in a season that saw him pressed into rotation duty because of injuries elsewhere.
He made eight starts and was excellent, putting up a 1.70 ERA over 42 1/3 innings. He also logged 12 relief appearances and handled that role well, posting a 2.10 ERA in 25 2/3 innings.
But the bigger issue is whether the Cubs can count on that kind of version of Brown over a full season. His track record says that’s a dangerous bet.
In 2025, he topped 100 innings for the only time in his MLB career, but the results were rough: a 5.92 ERA and 1.439 WHIP. In 2026, he was dominant, but the workload still came in at just 68 innings.
That’s the tension hanging over Chicago now. Brown may still be part of the 2027 plan, but the Cubs have already lived through one season where recovery setbacks wiped out a pitcher they expected to have in the mix. Justin Steele never made it back in 2026 after multiple setbacks following elbow surgery, and that’s the cautionary tale here.
Brown’s latest update doesn’t close the door on next season. It just reinforces how fragile the Cubs’ pitching situation remains. And with Jed Hoyer publicly saying he wants to reshape the rotation, this is the kind of development that makes that mission even more urgent.
In Other News...
Cubs Could Revisit A Familiar Rotation Move This Winter
Jed Hoyers winter pitching plan appears to be taking shape, and it does not sound like the Cubs are preparing to chase the biggest name on the market. Instead, Chicago is expected to look for starting pitchers who come at a more manageable price, with an eye toward arms that either miss bats or keep the ball on the ground. It is the kind of practical approach that fits the way the front office has operated, especially with the rotation still needing stability heading into next season.
One familiar option could be Shota Imanaga, who spent his entire MLB career with the Cubs and accepted a qualifying offer for 2026. The left-hander turned in a solid 2025 season, but the Cubs did not use him in their playoff games, and there are still some concerns about his home run issues. Even so, he remains a possible fit if the price is right, though Chicago seems wary of going too far to bring him back. [Read more 🡒]
Cubs Trade Debate Starts With One Tempting Move Hoyer Should Avoid
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Of the ideas being kicked around, the one tied to Strider is the kind of temptation that can quickly become a trap if the price climbs too high. Chicago can use impact, but it also has to be careful not to chase the loudest name simply because the rotation needs a jolt. The Cubs will have options to explore in the coming days, and the real challenge is figuring out which path actually improves the club without creating a bigger problem somewhere else. [Read more 🡒]
Former Cubs Pitcher Jameson Taillon Is Starting A Difficult Comeback
Jameson Taillons latest chapter has turned into a familiar kind of grind for a pitcher who has already been through plenty. After the Cubs moved him to Toronto during the 2026 season, he made three starts for the Blue Jays before elbow trouble shut him down again, ending a stint that never really got on track after a rough run marked by a high ERA and too many balls leaving the yard.
Now Taillon is facing internal brace surgery, his third major elbow operation, and the comeback effort will be as much about patience as it is about arm strength. He has said he plans to document the rehabilitation and work toward pitching again, but for now the bigger question is what comes next, including where he fits contractually once he is finally healthy enough to think about a return. [Read more 🡒]