The Chicago Cubs have sent starting pitcher Ben Brown to AAA Iowa. Relief pitcher Porter Hodge was recalled in the corresponding move. Brown was tagged for eight earned runs in five innings on Monday against the St. Louis Cardinals. Those eight runs came courtesy of four two-run home runs. For the season, Brown has a 6.13 ERA in 79.1 innings across 14 starts. This move opens a spot in the rotation for Shota Imanaga, who is set to return after missing almost two months with a hamstring injury.

Chicago needs Brown to take advantage of his time in Iowa by continuing to develop the kick change he has introduced this season. Brown has mostly been a two-pitch pitcher in his career with a fastball and a really good curveball. His ceiling as a starter is limited until the kick change becomes a pitch he can trust to throw consistently.

This move also highlights the need for the Cubs to add at least one starting pitcher at or before the MLB trade deadline in July. They have already been rumored to be scouting Edward Cabrera of the Miami Marlins. Cabrera has some really good stuff, but has struggled to throw strikes throughout his career.

Adding Cabrera would be a good move, but they will need to add someone who has a chance to be an impact arm in the playoffs. Carbera’s teammate, Sandy Alcantra, could be just that guy. Maybe Jed Hoyer can find a way to get both guys from Miami.