Ben Brown's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

Chicago Cubs pitcher Ben Brown (neck) is expected to have a scan on his neck in the coming weeks, and if he gets the all-clear, then the 25-year-old could resume throwing without restriction. If the youngster is cleared then the expectation is that he'll be ready to compete for a rotation spot in spring training. The former 33rd-round draft pick showed well in his MLB debut last season, posting a 3.58 ERA (3.11 FIP), 1.08 WHIP, and a 64:19 K:BB in 55 1/3 innings over his first 15 big-league appearances (eight starts), including a seven-inning outing on May 28 in which he allowed no hits, two walks, and struck out 10. With his 28.8% strikeout rate, the righty is worth keeping an eye on, as he'd at least have value in NL-Only leagues were he to win a rotation spot.

Chicago Cubs rookie right-hander Ben Brown (neck) remains at the team's spring training complex in Arizona and still hasn't done anything pitching-wise. Manager Craig Counsell said it's not likely that Brown will be back the rest of the season. Brown last appeared in a game for the Cubs way back on June 8 and was then placed on the injured list on June 11 with a stress reaction in his neck. The 24-year-old has already been shut down two separate times from his throwing program and will likely be shut down as he looks to get fully healthy for next season. After going 1-3 with a 3.58 ERA (3.11 FIP), a 1.08 WHIP and a 64:19 K:BB in 55 1/3 innings over his first 15 big-league appearances (eight starts), Brown should at least be in contention for a starting role going into spring training next year if he's recovered from his neck issues.

Chicago Cubs rookie right-hander Ben Brown (neck) is scheduled to throw off a mound on Friday in Arizona. Brown has been sidelined for six weeks now due to a neck injury and is going to need at least several minor-league rehab starts before he's a candidate for Chicago's starting rotation once again. But the 24-year-old should eventually jump back into the Cubs' rotation in the second half of the season after going 1-3 with a 3.58 ERA (3.11 FIP) and 1.08 WHIP with 64 strikeouts and 19 walks in 55 1/3 innings over his first 15 major-league appearances (eight starts) before getting hurt. He was even better in his eight starts, posting a 3.23 ERA and 0.97 WHIP with 43 strikeouts and 14 walks in 39 innings pitched. Fantasy managers in deeper leagues will want to consider adding Brown when he gets closer to a return in August.