The Cubs are going to be without rookie pitcher Ben Brown for a while.

But they don’t know exactly how long.

Brown was placed on the IL on June 9 with what was classified as a “left neck strain.”

The Cubs have since received more information on what is ailing the standout rookie, though they still don’t have the full picture.

“We don’t have all the answers yet on Ben,” Craig Counsell said Friday morning. “He’s been diagnosed with a stress reaction in his neck, which is going to mean an absence for sure. Obviously he’s on the injured list, but we’re gonna miss him for – we’re still trying to figure out exactly how long and what it means and what he can do.

“It’s a unique injury, a little bit of a rare injury for a pitcher so we’re just trying to just get some more opinions and figure out exactly what’s next for him.”

Brown, 24, has been one of the team’s best pitchers this season. He began the year in Triple-A but was called up for the 2nd game of the season when Opening Day starter Justin Steele landed on the IL with a hamstring injury.

In 15 appearances – 8 starts – Brown has a 1-3 record and 3.58 ERA this season. He has a 1.08 WHIP to go along with 64 strikeouts in 55.1 innings.

Those numbers have been even better since his tough MLB debut in which he allowed 6 earned runs in 1.2 innings in Texas. Since then, Brown carries a 2.68 ERA as he has moved between the Cubs rotation and bullpen.

As for the injury, Brown doesn’t know when it happened.

“It manifested itself as a stiff neck, which is fairly benign and normal-feeling and it just didn’t get better,” Counsell said.

Jordan Wicks took Brown’s turn in the rotation for Friday’s game against the Cardinals at Wrigley Field. The Cubs also have veterans Kyle Hendricks and Drew Smyly in the bullpen who could potentially slot into a starting spot if more depth is needed.