Cubs Prospect Returns to Mound in Iowa

Chicago Cubs No. 5 prospect Ben Brown made his return to the mound at Triple-A Iowa on Sunday after missing the past few weeks due to an injury.

Brown moved to the 7-day injured list on Aug. 2 and spent a month there before he was activated on Sept. 3, which allowed him to pitch in the Cubs’ finale with the Toledo Mud Hens.

Brown entered the game in the sixth inning. He didn’t give up a run. He gave up one hit and struck out two batters.

It was a solid return for a pitcher that had not thrown since a July 30 start against Memphis, during which he five innings of one-run baseball but took the loss.

Brown wasn’t the only pitcher making taking a rehab turn on Sunday.

Nick Burdi — who has been with Iowa for about a month as he works his way back from appendectomy in May — Threw a scoreless, hitless inning of relief after Brown. He has now pitched 15 minor league innings this season, though some of those came before his appendectomy. He has four saves and a 3.60 ERA with Iowa.

Brandon Hughes also pitched an inning for the first time since July 11. He gave up a hit, a walk and struck out one in one inning of work.

Of the three pitches, Brown is the one the Cubs have their eye on. He could be of help to them in the starting rotation come 2024.

Brown started the season with Double-A Tennessee and was called up to Iowa on April 29.

Brown, drafted in the 33rd round by the Philadelphia Phillies in 2017, has been gradually working his way through the minors.

The Cubs acquired him last August in a deadline trade in which they dealt reliever David Robertson to the Phillies, helping Philadelphia reach the World Series.