Cubs right-hander Ben Brown suffered a setback in his rehab for a neck injury, putting his availability for the stretch run of the season in doubt.

Ben Brown threw live batting practice Tuesday in Arizona in front of Chicago Cubs staff that included manager Craig Counsell and pitching coach Tommy Hottovy.

Right-handed pitcher Ben Brown and left-handed pitcher Justin Steele both threw live batting practice over the weekend, and according to Cubs manager Craig Counsell, they each felt great following their respective sessions.

Ben Brown felt good Saturday after throwing live batting practice Friday and is close to beginning a rehab assignment.

Right-hander Ben Brown landed on the 15-day IL in June with a stress reaction in a bone in his neck. It's an identical injury to the one that kept him off the mound for the final three months of his rookie year with the Cubs in 2024. Brown began rehabbing from the stress reaction, but he's reportedly suffered a setback.

After a promising recovery took a dark turn in Arizona, the breakout right-hander faces a potential season-ending shutdown that threatens Chicago's late-season bullpen reinforcements.

Brown had a 1.85 ERA in 68 innings when he landed on the injured list in June with a neck injury. He suffered a setback Tuesday.

The Cubs transferred Brown (neck) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Monday.

The Chicago Cubs are set to begin the series finale of a three-game set against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, at 2:40 p.m. CDT on Wednesday. The Cubs won the first game of the series 7-0 on Monday.

Brown, sidelined in late June with a stress fracture in a vertebra in his neck, experienced symptoms at the end of an appearance in a "bridge league" game Tuesday in Arizona, something that will slow down his planned return as the Cubs wait to learn more.

The Patriots released Brown on Monday. Brown signed a two-year extension with the Patriots in late December. The reserve offensive lineman picked up an injury in the team's preseason opener that sidelined him for the remainder of training camp.

Injured but not hurt for long enough to go on injured reserve, Brown will likely sign back with the team when healthy again.