Cubs hope Triple-A stint gives Brown a chance to reset

ST. LOUIS – Cubs manager Craig Counsell has seen plenty of established pitchers experience growing pains at the big league level in their early years, leading to a trip back to the Minor Leagues. It is a part of the learning curve and not uncommon for young arms.

Ben Brown has flashed great promise at moments, but the hard-throwing righty is still a developing arm and the Cubs made the decision on Tuesday afternoon to option him to Triple-A Iowa. The hope is that Brown can take a deep breath and then get to work on finding his footing and fine-tuning his execution before a return to the rotation.

What was Counsell’s message to Brown?

“‘Within your struggles, there’s growth,’” Counsell said. “‘And you don’t know it at the time that it’s happening, but you are getting better.’ When you’re in the trees, it’s hard to see that. Hopefully, you get a little space away from it and it can help him understand how he’s getting better. And then see clearly the things he’s got to get a little better at.”

With lefty Shota Imanaga on target to come off the 15-day injured list (left hamstring) on Thursday to start against the Cardinals, the Cubs needed to make a decision with their rotation. Given the extreme ups and downs Brown has experienced this season, the 25-year-old righty appeared to be the most vulnerable arm in the starting staff.

In Monday’s 8-2 loss to the Cardinals, Brown cruised through the first three innings before allowing four two-run homers the rest of the way. It marked the sixth game this season Brown has been charged with at least five runs. On the flip side, the righty has had six games with at least five innings and two runs or fewer allowed.

Brown has a 6.13 ERA with 91 strikeouts and 27 walks in 16 appearances (14 starts) this season, using primarily a two-pitch mix (fastball and curve).

With Triple-A Iowa, Brown will continue to make starts, but Counsell noted that the team may reduce his workload. He is at 79 1/3 innings this season for Chicago after injuries limited Brown to 55 1/3 frames in MLB last year. The Cubs will also have Brown keep working on the changeup that he introduced to his arsenal earlier this season.

“We’re obviously going to have him continue to develop that pitch,” Counsell said. “But it’s not the reason [for his struggles]. Let’s be clear with that. It’s just another piece of his development and it’s something that he’s going to continue to work on, because it is still relatively new and it’s something that he can improve on and, frankly, use more.”

In a corresponding move, the Cubs activated right-handed reliever Porter Hodge from the 15-day IL, following his bout with a left oblique strain and a left hip impingement. Hodge posted a 5.12 ERA in 21 games this season, but rattled off a 2.79 ERA in his 11 appearances prior to being shelved on May 18.

Counsell noted that Hodge – who emerged as a closing option last season as a rookie – will have some “soft landings” as he is eased back into the bullpen mix post-injuries. The Cubs will also have to make another decision involving their pitching staff on Thursday, when Imanaga officially rejoins the fold.

“It’s good to have him back,” Counsell said of Hodge. “We’ll try to get him out there regularly. We know Porter can be an important piece and a big piece. I don’t think we’re there right now, and I think he needs to pitch a little bit more. But we want to have him active and we want to work to get him to that place.”