Cardinals knock around Ben Brown as Shota Imanaga’s return looms

ST. LOUIS – Cubs right-hander Ben Brown threw his hands down to his sides as the ball landed in the first row of the outfield bleachers.

In a game the Cubs would go on to lose 8-2 to the Cardinals, the fifth and sixth inning had quickly spiraled on Brown. And to cap that downfall, he’d just given up a two-run home run to Nolan Gorman, prompting a call to the bullpen.

Gorman’s homer was the fourth Brown allowed, all to left-handed hitters, also including Lars Nootbaar, Brendan Donovan and Alec Burleson. In five-plus innings, Brown surrendered eight runs, tying a career high.

“It all happened really fast,” said Brown (6.13 ERA), who’d faced just one over the minimum in a quick first three innings. “It’s really frustrating. It’s going to be tough to sleep tonight knowing I was that close to something really good tonight, and just as fast, it went away.”

Before Monday, battling humidity at Busch Stadium, Brown had never given up more than two home runs in an outing.

Looming large was the anticipated return of left-hander Shota Imanaga from the injured list (strained left hamstring) on Thursday, which is expected to push a starter out of the rotation.

“Stuff like that is going to be in the back of your mind,” Brown said. “Obviously, when guys show up in the locker room, and they need spots to pitch, it’s hard. But ultimately, it doesn’t matter, I’ve just got to go do my job. And I didn’t do that tonight.”

Veteran right-hander Michael Fulmer replaced Brown in the fifth inning and threw two scoreless innings.

The Cubs selected Fulmer’s contract from Triple-A earlier on Monday. In a corresponding move, they optioned reliever Nate Pearson to Triple-A.

Fulmer is a familiar face in the Cubs bullpen, having served as a high-leverage reliever for the team in 2023. He underwent UCL revision surgery on his right elbow after the season.

Fulmer made his return after signing a non-roster invitee deal with the Red Sox this past offseason. He pitched in one major-league game, was designated for assignment, and signed a minor-league contract with the Cubs.