Ben Brown Finds Clarity on Neck Injury, Targets Return

Chicago Cubs starting pitcher Ben Brown landed on the 15-day injured list this week with a stress reaction in his neck, but the right-hander says he finally has a clear diagnosis after years of uncertainty. The recurrence of the injury in the same spot as his 2024 setback has given Brown and the Cubs medical staff the answers they were searching for two years ago, and there is now a concrete plan for recovery.

What Happened to Ben Brown's Neck in 2024?

Back in 2024, Brown's rookie season was cut short by a mysterious neck injury. At the time, doctors diagnosed the issue as an osteoma, which is a benign bone growth. Brown said Saturday that assessment was totally wrong. Without a clear explanation, the pitcher and the Cubs were left guessing, and Brown even pitched through pain during that frustrating stretch.

The new diagnosis reveals a stress reaction in the C5 vertebra of his neck. Brown confirmed it is the same exact spot and the same bone as the 2024 injury, but the difference now is the level of understanding.