Brown underwent cervical spine surgery Monday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports.
Cubs general manager Carter Hawkins said earlier Tuesday that Brown was likely to have surgery, but apparently an operation had already taken place when he made the statement. Brown first began experiencing neck problems during the 2024 season, and he missed the final three-plus months of the 2026 season due to a stress reaction in his neck. The Cubs expect Brown to be game-ready at some point during the first half next season, but a more specific timetable for the right-hander should be clarified at a later date.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Ben Brown: Neck surgery expected
Rotowire
Cubs general manager Carter Hawkins said Tuesday that Brown is likely to undergo surgery to repair his chronic neck injury, Elise Menaker of Marquee Sports reports.
Brown missed the final three-plus months of the 2026 season due to a stress reaction in his neck, an injury that also kept him out of commission for a chunk of the 2024 season. The exact nature of the procedure and the timeline for Brown's return isn't clear, but Hawkins expects the righty hurler to pitch for the Cubs next season.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Ben Brown: Surgery still not ruled out
Rotowire
Brown has yet to be cleared to resume throwing, and surgery to repair his neck injury has not been ruled out, Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic reports.
Brown was shelved for the final three-plus months of the 2026 season due to a stress reaction in his neck, which is an injury that also forced him to miss substantial action in 2024. The Cubs and Brown are still determining the best course of action to treat the chronic injury, and it has the right-hander's status for 2027 unclear. Brown was terrific this season when on the mound, logging a 1.85 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 65:19 K:BB over 68 frames covering eight starts and 12 relief outings.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Javier Assad: Option declined, but staying put
Rotowire
The Cubs declined Assad's $3.3 million club option for 2027 on Monday, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.
Assad remains in the organization and is arbitration eligible, so the Cubs will simply look to bring him back at a lesser salary. The 29-year-old swingman gave the Cubs solid work again this season, posting a 3.63 ERA, 1.15 WHIP and 63:27 K:BB over 94.1 innings covering 11 starts and 17 relief outings.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Tyler Austin: Sent outright to Triple-A
Rotowire
Austin (knee) was outrighted to Triple-A Iowa on Monday.
Austin underwent right knee surgery in March, though it's currently unclear where he's at in his rehab. He'll remain with the organization but is no longer a member of the 40-man roster following Monday's transaction.
... See More... See Less
Cubs' Eric Orze: Goes to Cubs in waiver claim
Rotowire
The Cubs claimed Orze off waivers from the Twins on Monday.
Orze made 36 appearances for the Twins this season, collecting a 5.66 ERA and 36:21 K:BB over 41.1 innings of work. The 29-year-old is out of minor-league options, so he would have to be exposed to waivers again if the Cubs try to send him to the minors.
The Cubs re-signed Webb to a one-year, $2 million contract with a $4 million club option (or $500,000 buyout) for 2028 on Monday, Robert Murray of FanSided.com reports.
Though he was miscast as a high-leverage reliever, Webb provided the Cubs with some good work in 2026, posting a 3.36 ERA and 73:25 K:BB over 67 innings while notching nine saves. He could fill more of a middle relief role in 2027 if the Cubs are able to land upgrades from outside the organization.
1:21
1:51
1:27
1:16
15:41
1:18
1:47
1:10
0:54
1:14
1:30
1:09
1:30
9:31
1:19
1:57
1:19
0:42
0:42
1:51
