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Cubs' Ben Brown Faces Extended Layoff After Spine Surgery
11 Nov
Summary
- Cubs pitcher Ben Brown had cervical spine surgery on Monday.
- Surgery addresses long-standing neck issues, including a 2024 injury.
- Brown is expected to resume throwing in early 2027.
Cubs right-hander Ben Brown recently underwent cervical spine surgery, a procedure confirmed on Tuesday. This operation is intended to resolve long-term neck problems that have impacted the pitcher for several years, notably beginning in 2024. He experienced a significant setback that year, missing the final three months due to what was initially diagnosed as a neck strain.
Brown's struggles continued into the 2026 season, where he posted a strong 1.85 ERA before being placed on the injured list on June 24 with a similar issue. This time, doctors identified the problem as a bone stress reaction affecting his C5 vertebra. Despite initial hopes for a 2026 return, he was shut down in early September as further rest was deemed necessary.
Looking ahead, the 27-year-old pitcher is projected to resume throwing activities early in 2027. The Cubs organization is optimistic about his comeback, anticipating a return to competitive play within the first half of the 2027 season.
