LAS VEGAS (AP) — Chicago Cubs pitcher Ben Brown had neck surgery and will likely be sidelined until midseason.
General manager Carter Hawkins said the 27-year-old right-hander was operated on Monday in New York because of a stress fracture in his neck. Hawkins said a screw was implanted to improve healing.
“He’s walking around the streets of New York. He’ll start throwing the ball after the new year (and be back) most likely midseason,” Hawkins said Tuesday. “We’ve got to figure out where he is weeks from now to really understand how much we’re going to be able to stick to that plan.”
Brown didn’t pitch after June 19 because of what the team said was a neck strain. He was 4-2 with a 1.85 ERA in eight starts and 12 relief appearances, striking out 65 and walking 19 in 68 innings.
Brown is 10-13 with a 4.15 ERA and two saves in 31 starts and 29 relief appearances over three major league seasons.
Chicago said the same condition bothered Brown in 2024.
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