Brown allowed two runs on three hits across 3.1 innings in Thursday's 10-4 loss to the Nationals. He walked one and struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

Brown was forced into early action after Chicago starter Matthew Boyd covered only 3.2 innings in a rough outing. The righty reliever served up a two-run home run to Jacob Young to account for the runs against him. After making 23 starts for the Cubs across the last two seasons, it looks like Brown will handle a long-relief role out of the bullpen in 2026. He should be a decent source of strikeouts, though his overall fantasy value will be capped as a reliever.

Brown will be on the Cubs' Opening Day roster, Patrick Mooney of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Brown's last two Cactus League appearances came in relief and totaled three innings, and it's in the bullpen where he's expected to open the 2026 campaign. He could be used as a multi-inning reliever initially, but Brown has the ability to work his way into a more integral role, either as a high-leverage bullpen option or as a starting pitcher if a need arises.

Brown allowed one run on two hits across four innings in Saturday's Cactus League game against the Rockies. He struck out six.

EDGE Analysis

Brown has been racking up strikeouts so far this spring, and he now has 15 of them across 10.2 Cactus League frames. This is in line with the tall righty's career 10.3 K/9 during the regular season. The problem for Brown to this point has been consistency, particularly with his secondary pitches. He's been experimenting with a sinker in camp and may use it frequently in 2026 if he finds success with it in the early going.

Brown is experimenting with adding a sinker to his pitch mix during spring training, Jordan Bastian of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Brown has typically relied on a fastball and curveball, with a changeup mixed in more recently. The righty is now trying out a sinker as another out pitch, particularly against right-handed batters. Brown has racked up strikeouts at an impressive rate across two seasons in the majors, but he struggled last year with a 5.92 ERA and 1.44 WHIP across 106.1 regular-season innings while splitting time between the rotation and bullpen. The 26-year-old is likely to be a reliever to begin the 2026 campaign, and an effective sinker could help him succeed in that role, especially if his fastball plays up a few ticks as well.

Brown allowed two hits across two scoreless innings in Monday's Cactus League game against the Royals. He struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

Making his spring debut, Brown looked sharp across his 30 pitches, 20 of which he tossed for strikes. The lanky righty spent time as both a starter and reliever last season, and he mostly struggled with a 5.92 ERA and 1.44 WHIP across 106.1 innings. However, Brown also struck out 121 batters and flashed a fastball that sat right around 96 mph, so there is plenty of upside in his arm. With the Cubs seemingly having a full rotation to begin the year, Brown figures to slot into the bullpen if he makes the team out of camp, though he could be an option to make some starts down the road if a need arises. As a reliever, the 26-year-old could see his stuff play up a bit.

The Cubs optioned Brown to Triple-A Iowa on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

He's being sent down to make room on the active roster for the return of Michael Soroka (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list. Brown has made 15 starts and 10 relief appearances for the Cubs this season, posting a 5.92 ERA and 121:32 K:BB over 106.1 frames.

Brown (5-8) allowed two runs on a hit and two walks across 1.1 innings of relief to take the loss Wednesday against Atlanta. He struck out three.

EDGE Analysis

Brown worked around a walk and a wild pitch to log a scoreless sixth inning while striking out the side, but he ran into more trouble in the seventh. The young righty allowed a hit and another walk, while also uncorking a second wild pitch, before getting the hook. Drew Pomeranz then allowed both inherited runners to score when he served up a three-run home run. Brown continues to miss plenty of bats, as demonstrated by his 10.2 K/9 this season, but he hasn't found consistent success. He now has a 5.98 ERA and 1.45 WHIP across 105.1 innings.

Brown allowed one run on two hits and struck out three without walking a batter over three innings to earn the save in Saturday's 12-1 win over the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

Brown earned the first save of his major-league career, throwing 30 of 44 pitches for strikes in this outing. The right-hander probably won't be in the mix for more traditional save chances, as Daniel Palencia has thrived as the Cubs' closer this year. Brown has made his last three appearances out of the bullpen, though they've been spaced far enough apart that he is still ostensibly on a starter's schedule if he has to make a spot start at some point. Over 22 appearances (15 starts), Brown has a 5.82 ERA, 1.43 WHIP and 111:30 K:BB through 102 innings this season.

Brown allowed one run on four hits and a walk across four innings of relief in Tuesday's 5-1 loss to the Blue Jays.

EDGE Analysis

Brown was originally expected to start Tuesday's contest, but it was Javier Assad (oblique) who ended up with that honor in his season debut. Assad allowed four runs on eight hits in his four innings of work, with Brown looking sharper in long relief. Even with Brown turning in a good performance, his opportunity as a starter this year may have run its course, as Assad is now healthy and Jameson Taillon (calf) is expected back from the injured list soon. Brown will likely slot into a bullpen role with the Cubs getting healthier in their rotation.

Brown is no longer expected to start Tuesday's game against the Blue Jays after the Cubs activated Javier Assad (oblique) from the 60-day injured list, Maddie Lee of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Assad will take the bump and make his 2025 season debut after throwing 18.1 innings across five rehab starts. It's unclear if the Cubs will move Brown's turn back in the rotation or send him to the bullpen. Brown (5-7) has struggled to a 6.04 ERA, 1.44 WHIP and 104:27 K:BB across 92.1 innings of work this season.