NEW YORK – A day after starting pitcher Edward Cabrera was carted off the field, the Cubs announced that right-hander Ben Brown would be placed on the injured list, retroactive to June 21, with a neck strain. It’s another blow to a starting rotation that has been devastated by injuries to start the season.Brown began the season in the bullpen and was thriving. But a slew of injuries forced him into the rotation, where he emerged as one of the Cubs’ best pitchers. On the season, Brown has a 1.85 ERA in 68 innings (20 appearances, eight starts) with a 24.5 percent strikeout rate and 7.2 percent walk rate.The Cubs acquired Brown at the 2022 trade deadline from the Philadelphia Phillies. The 26-year-old had shown flashes of talent but struggled to consistently perform at the highest level. Armed with an upper-90s four-seam fastball and an impressive curveball, Brown spent the offseason working to add to his arsenal and make himself a more well-rounded pitcher.The work paid off. Brown now regularly goes to his sinker against righties and his changeup to lefties. It’s allowed him to keep the opposition from sitting on his four-seamer and, in turn, the hard contact he’s allowed this season has plummeted.