Cubs pitcher Ben Brown 'hell-bent' on bouncing back from up-and-down 2025

MESA, Ariz. — Cubs right-hander Ben Brown has sat through long drives to each of his Cactus League appearances this spring.

On Friday, it was halfway across the valley to Peoria for a night game. Last weekend, it was to Glendale. But his first start of the spring was the farthest commute, more than an hour to Surprise.

‘‘It’s exciting to start new and to see your name on a lineup card again,’’ Brown said after that start Feb. 23, in which he pitched two scoreless innings against the Royals.