Ben Brown’s inconsistency the last two months suggested it was a matter of when, not if, the Chicago Cubs would send the right-hander to the minors to get on track.

At the back end of the rotation, right-handers Colin Rea and rookie Cade Horton have filled in since left-handers Justin Steele (season-ending elbow surgery) and Imanaga (strained left hamstring) landed on the IL.

The Chicago Cubs announced they have sent down Ben Brown to Triple-A and activated Porter Hodge off the injured list.