Lance McCullers Jr.
Breakdown
Performance
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July 15, 2026
Officially dealt to Milwaukee
The Brewers acquired McCullers (shoulder), Colton Gordon and cash considerations from the Astros on Wednesday in exchange for Jadyn Fielder.
Analysis
It's a salary dump for Houston, who is getting out from most of the remainder of the final year of McCullers' five-year, $85 million deal. McCullers hasn't pitched with Houston since May 15 due to a shoulder impingement, but the right-hander is winding down a rehab assignment and should join Milwaukee's staff sooner than later. It's another reclamation project for the Brewers, as McCullers has pitched to a 6.65 ERA, 1.69 WHIP and 5.8 BB/9 across 94.2 innings since the start of the 2025 season after missing the entire 2023 and 2024 campaigns due to injuries. He has struck out 9.9 batters per nine innings during that span.
July 15, 2026
Trade to Milwaukee being finalized
The Astros are in the process of finalizing a trade that will send McCullers (shoulder) to the Brewers on Wednesday, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis
McCullers has been on the injured list due to a shoulder impingement since mid-May, but he's made three minor-league rehab starts and may only require one more rehab outing before getting cleared for big-league action. The veteran right-hander is in the final season of the five-year, $85 million extension he signed with the Astros in 2021 and has full no-trade protection, though he's apparently already approved the potential trade, per McTaggart. After missing the full 2023 and 2024 campaigns due to arm issues, McCullers returned to the mound last year and struggled to a 6.51 ERA in 16 regular-season appearances, and he posted similar numbers before landing on the injured list this year. The full terms of the trade may not be disclosed until it's finalized.
July 10, 2026
Scheduled for another rehab start
McCullers (shoulder) will make his next rehab start July 17 with Double-A Corpus Christi, Brian McTaggart of MLB.com reports.
Analysis
McCullers has so far logged three rehab starts, with his last taking place this past Tuesday with Triple-A Sugar Land, when he allowed four runs (two earned) on three hits and three walks while striking out four across four innings. He was a candidate to return to the Astros' rotation during the team's weekend series against the Rangers. However, McCullers requires at least one more outing in the minors but should rejoin the big club in late July following the All-Star break.
