The 2026 MLB trade deadline is a few weeks away, but we have our first notable move of trade season
The Houston Astros are trading veteran starting pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. to the Milwaukee Brewers, the team announced
McCullers had a no-trade clause in his contract, but has waived it for this move. This ends the pitcher’s 12-year tenure in Houston
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The veteran arm joins a Brewers pitching staff that posted a 3.48 ERA as a team in the season’s first half, the second-best mark in MLB behind only the New York Yankees
Milwaukee’s acquisition of McCullers comes as Brandon Woodruff was transferred from the 15-day IL to the 60-day IL due to a lingering shoulder injury just before the All-Star break. Kyle Harrison was also added to the IL this week with elbow soreness
McCullers has struggled this season and will hope that the change of scenery helps him get back on track. He heads to Milwaukee with a 2-3 record and a 6.86 ERA
The veteran arm has had an injury-riddled career. He missed the entirety of the 2019, 2023 and 2024 seasons due to injuries. McCullers missed 2019 due to Tommy John surgery and then the 2023 and 2024 seasons due to surgery to repair the flexor tendon in his pitching arm, as well as having a bone spur removed
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Left-handed pitcher Colton Gordon is also heading to Milwaukee as part of the deal, per Jon Heyman. Gordon has made four MLB appearances this season and has an 11.57 ERA, allowing 12 earned runs over 9.1 innings
The move is largely a salary move for Houston. The Astros are getting back Brewers minor leaguer Jadyn Fielder – son of former Brewer Prince Fielder – in the deal. The younger Fielder was in Single-A for Milwaukee
