Charlie Riedel/AP Photos
MESA, Ariz. – Cubs right-hander Ben Brown has sat through long drives out to each of his Cactus League appearances this season.
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 furthest commute – over an hour to Surprise.
“It’s exciting to start new and to see your name on a lineup card again,” he said after that Feb. 23 start, after tossing two scoreless innings against the Royals. “I feel extremely blessed just to have this opportunity to go out there and pitch, and I’m thankful for it.