Ben Brown joins Edward Cabrera on the IL, further depleting the Cubs rotation

Meghan Montemurro, Chicago Tribune on Jun 24, 2026

Published in Baseball

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NEW YORK — At this point, the Chicago Cubs might need to look to the stands for healthy bodies to put in their rotation.

The Cubs placed right-handers Ben Brown (neck strain) and Edward Cabrera (left hamstring strain) on the 15-day injured list before Wednesday’s 10-3 win against the New York Mets in Game 1 of a split doubleheader. In corresponding moves, the Cubs recalled right-hander Gavin Hollowell and added right-hander Vince Velasquez to the roster while designating right-hander Eduarniel Núñez for assignment to created a 40-man spot for Velasquez. Right-hander Tyler Ferguson is serving as the 27th man for the doubleheader.

It’s a doubly devastating blow for a reeling pitching staff that has been decimated by injuries. Brown and Cabrera join starters Cade Horton (Tommy John surgery, out for the season), Jameson Taillon (left hamstring strain, likely out until after the All-Star break) and Justin Steele (flexor strain, only just starting to play catch) on the IL with Matthew Boyd (meniscectomy/shoulder soreness) expected to be activated Thursday to start the series finale.

The Cubs knew Cabrera would be going on the IL on Wednesday by the time Tuesday’s game ended.

Cabrera needed to be carted off the field at the conclusion of the fifth inning in their 9-6 win over the Mets. He was in significant pain after stretching into splits at first base on a throw from second baseman Nico Hoerner. Cabrera got the out but stayed down and immediately grabbed near his upper left thigh. He tried to get up and walk off the field but managed only a couple of steps before having to return to the ground.

Cabrera underwent imaging Wednesday to determine the severity of the injury. The Cubs had not received the results before Game 1 of the doubleheader.

Brown’s neck strain and need to go on the IL is especially devastating because of how well he had been pitching since moving into the rotation. Brown has a 1.85 ERA this season in 20 games — a 1.70 ERA in eight starts — spanning 68 innings with just two home runs allowed.

The Cubs currently have only four starters on their roster: Shota Imanaga, Javier Assad, Colin Rea and Boyd with his impending return Thursday.

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