Cubs' top pitching prospect to have season-ending elbow surgery

Chicago Cubs pitching prospect Brandon Birdsell will have season-ending surgery on his right elbow.

Assistant general manager Jared Banner confirmed the news Tuesday. Birdsell will undergo the procedure with Dr. Keith Meister in Arlington, Texas.

"We'll have more information after the surgery," Banner said. "After the surgery, we can talk about timelines."

Chicago's Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2024, Birdsell ranks No. 2 among pitchers and No. 9 overall in the Cubs' farm system, per MLB.com.

The 25-year-old right-hander is 2-2 with a 2.94 ERA in eight starts at three minor league levels this season. He came off the 60-day injured list on July 18 but went back on the IL on Aug. 8 with elbow issues.

Birdsell is 14-19 with a 3.35 ERA in 59 games (58 starts) in the minors since Chicago drafted him in the fifth round out of Texas Tech in 2022.

--Field Level Media