Cubs place right-hander Ben Brown on injured list with a neck strain

(670 The Score) Just as the Cubs pitching staff was getting healthier, it has been dealt another blow.

Right-hander Ben Brown was placed on the 15-day injured list Tuesday with a strained muscle on the left side of his neck. Brown has been one of the Cubs’ best pitchers this season, posting a 3.58 ERA and 1.08 WHIP in 15 appearances, including eight starts. Most recently, Brown had held a rotation spot for the Cubs.

Brown’s trip to the injured list comes just days after Cubs left-hander Jordan Wicks had returned from injury. Wicks projects to return to the Cubs’ rotation with Brown out. That’s a role that Wicks likely would’ve returned to soon enough regardless of injuries, but Brown’s ailment hurts the pitching depth and has a trickle-down effect for a bullpen that has struggled as Chicago sits at 32-34.

In a corresponding move, the Cubs activated right-hander Colten Brewer from the injured list. Brewer had a 3.09 ERA in seven appearances for the Cubs earlier this season.

The Cubs open a three-game road series against the Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday evening at Tropicana Field. First pitch is set for 5:50 p.m. The game can be heard on 670 The Score or by downloading the Audacy app and searching for 670 The Score.