Craig Counsell has positive news for key Chicago Cubs starter’s injury

The Chicago Cubs have been hit with the injury big through the first half of the 2026 MLB season. As we sit here at the MLB All-Star break, Chicago has 13 pitchers on the injured list this season. That’s enough for a full rotation and a bullpen.

The injuries have ranged from season-ending to a short IL stint but either way, it’s not been good.

Chicago currently sits five games behind the Milwaukee Brewers in the NL Central and will need to make a push in the second half. Getting guys healthy and figuring out the pitching will be the biggest keys. Those go hand in hand as well. But as we sit here at the All-Star break, Craig Counsell had some good news regarding one injured pitcher.

Craig Counsell believes Ben Brown will return for Chicago Cubs

Ben Brown, Chicago Cubs — May 8, 2026; Arlington, Texas, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Ben Brown (32) throws to the plate during the first inning against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images

One of the pitchers on the injured list is Ben Brown. He went down with a stress reaction/fracture in the neck on June 25th, right after enjoying a bit of a breakout season. However, Counsell believes Brown will return this season but there’s a small catch.

He doesn’t know if it will be in the rotation or as a reliever as he told the Chicago Sun-Times:

‘Will right-hander Ben Brown pitch again this season?

That question earned an easy “yes” from manager Craig Counsell on Sunday.

Whether that means Brown, on the IL while recovering from a stress fracture in a vertebrae in his neck, will have enough time to build back up and slot back into the rotation, however, remains unknown.

“I don’t know if we have clarity on that yet,” Counsell said.’

Counsell mentions an “easy” yes, which is great news. The Cubs could really use Brown in any spot over the final 60 or so games of the season, especially if they are making a push to the playoffs.

In eight games this season, Brown was 4-2 with a 1.85 ERA in 68 innings pitched. He became a weapon for the Cubs in that rotation and now, Counsell could have the option of him in the bullpen. For now, the first step is getting Brown healthy and then taking it from there.

The post Craig Counsell has positive news for key Chicago Cubs starter’s injury appeared first on ChiCitySports.