The Milwaukee Brewers designated right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. for assignment Sunday, ending the former All-Star’s brief stint with the club just days after he joined the roster.
The move came ahead of the final game of a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies at American Family Field. The teams entered the day tied at one win apiece following Milwaukee’s 8-5 victory on Saturday.
McCullers, 32, had been acquired from the Houston Astros earlier this month in a deal that also brought left-hander Colton Gordon and cash considerations to Milwaukee. In exchange, the Brewers sent minor league outfielder Jadyn Fielder, the son of former big league slugger Prince Fielder, to Houston.
The right-hander appeared in two games for the Brewers after being activated from the injured list. His most recent outing came in relief against the New York Mets, where he worked three innings and struck out four batters while allowing two runs.
McCullers spent his entire major league career with the Astros before the trade. He helped Houston capture World Series titles in 2017 and 2022 and earned an All-Star selection in 2017. Injuries, however, limited him throughout much of his tenure, including full seasons missed in 2019, 2023 and 2024.
This season he posted a 2-3 record with a 6.86 ERA across eight starts for Houston before landing on the injured list in mid-May with right shoulder inflammation. He completed a minor league rehab assignment prior to the trade.
Brewers manager Pat Murphy and the front office had hoped the veteran’s experience and secondary pitches would provide depth for a rotation dealing with several injuries. Brandon Woodruff was transferred to the 60-day injured list earlier in July, and other starters have also missed time.
The designation for assignment places McCullers on waivers. Other clubs now have the opportunity to claim him. If he clears waivers, the Brewers could attempt to work out a minor league assignment or release him.
McCullers is in the final year of a five-year, $85 million contract. Houston covered a significant portion of the remaining salary as part of the trade, giving the Astros additional payroll flexibility heading into the trade deadline.
The Brewers entered Sunday with one of the stronger records in the National League and a solid lead in the Central Division. Their pitching staff has ranked among the league’s best for much of the season despite the recent injuries.
Fans and observers on social media quickly noted the short duration of McCullers’ time in Milwaukee. Many pointed to his injury history as a possible factor in the club’s decision to move on so quickly.
Whether another team claims the former All-Star remains unclear. McCullers has shown the ability to miss bats when healthy, but consistency and durability have been ongoing challenges in recent years.
The Brewers will look to other arms in their system and on the free-agent market as they continue their push for a deep postseason run. The Rockies series provided an early test of the club’s depth, and the outcome of Sunday’s game will determine which team claims the set.
