Disaster Strikes: Cubs’ Pitching Collapse Forces Counsell to Make Shocking, Unprecedented Decision

Going into the 2025 MLB season, the Chicago Cubs’ starting rotation was viewed as a strength. But injuries to Justin Steele, Shota Imanaga, and Javier Assad have significantly altered that perception. While Imanaga and Assad are expected to return later in the season, Steele is out for the year, leaving the current rotation looking very different from what was originally planned.

The situation has become dire enough that manager Craig Counsell is opting for a rare strategy—using an opener, something he’s only done once this season. On Saturday against the Cincinnati Reds, Drew Pomeranz will take the mound first, with Ben Brown lined up as the bulk reliever. Counsell explained the reasoning:

“I think there’s things Ben can do better. When you use an opener, you’re looking for a better start in the first inning and also trying to get a better outcome later in the outing, when a starter typically faces hitters for the second or third time,” Counsell said.

Given Brown’s struggles, the move is logical. Through 11 appearances (10 starts), he’s posted a 6.39 ERA. His biggest issue has been the first inning, where he’s allowed 11 runs—four of those coming in a recent start against these same Reds. Opponents are batting .318 against him in opening frames, with eight walks and three homers allowed. But beyond the first inning, he’s fared much better, giving up just two earned runs across 20 innings in the second and third innings combined.

By using an opener, Counsell hopes Brown avoids facing Cincinnati’s top hitters early and doesn’t have to go through the lineup more than twice.

Right now, Counsell doesn’t have the luxury of a traditional rotation. Injuries have forced him to think outside the box. Outside of Matthew Boyd and Jameson Taillon, there’s little reliability. Colin Rea’s poor outing on Friday against the Reds only added to the problem. Though not as shaky as Brown in the first inning, Rea has still allowed five runs in nine opening frames, including two runs and a home run on Friday. He might also benefit from an opener.

With two top starters sidelined, Counsell has to get creative to keep the Cubs afloat in the NL Central. Using an opener for Brown, and even doing so in Cade Horton’s MLB debut, shows a willingness to adapt. The Cubs will need more of that adaptability from Counsell to maintain their division lead while key arms recover.