The Milwaukee Brewers have designated veteran right-handed pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. for assignment, ending his brief stint with the club less than two weeks after acquiring him in a trade. The decision signals another challenging chapter for the former Houston Astros standout, whose career has been defined by flashes of brilliance and an ongoing battle to regain consistency following injuries.
The Brewers now have seven days to determine McCullers Jr.’s future, whether through a trade, the waiver process, or another roster move.
Brewers Move On From Lance McCullers Jr.
Milwaukee announced the roster decision Sunday morning after McCullers Jr. appeared in only two games with the organization.
The Brewers acquired the 32-year-old pitcher on July 15 in a trade that also included left-handed pitcher Colton Gordon. In return, Milwaukee sent third-generation prospect Jadyn Fielder to Houston. Because McCullers Jr. held a no-trade clause, he approved the deal before joining his new team.
However, his time in Milwaukee proved short-lived.
By designating McCullers Jr. for assignment, the Brewers opened a seven-day window to either trade him or place him on waivers. If no team claims him, Milwaukee could attempt to assign him to the minor leagues. Thanks to his major league service time, though, McCullers Jr. has the right to reject that assignment.
As a result, his chances of returning to Milwaukee’s major league roster now appear slim.
Two Relief Appearances Shaped the Decision
McCullers Jr. made only two relief appearances before the Brewers decided to make a roster change.
Solid Debut Against New York
His first outing came on July 20 against the New York Mets. Working three innings in relief, McCullers Jr. surrendered two earned runs while striking out four batters and issuing one walk. Milwaukee went on to secure an 8-3 victory, giving the veteran a respectable debut with his new club.
The performance suggested he could provide valuable bullpen depth during the second half of the season.
Rocky Appearance Against Colorado
His second appearance proved much more difficult.
McCullers Jr. entered Saturday’s game against the Colorado Rockies in the eighth inning with Milwaukee holding a comfortable 7-2 lead. He quickly recorded two outs but then walked two batters before escaping the inning.
The ninth inning became even more challenging.
After issuing a leadoff walk, McCullers Jr. encountered additional trouble as defensive miscues extended Colorado’s opportunity to rally. He ultimately exited after allowing four walks, one hit, and two unearned runs.
Although the Brewers’ defense contributed to the difficult inning, the command issues likely influenced the club’s decision to make a roster move.
Brewers Strengthen Bullpen Depth
Milwaukee entered the season with one of the National League’s deeper bullpens, anchored by closer Trevor Megill and several reliable relief arms.
Following McCullers Jr.’s designation for assignment, the Brewers recalled right-handed pitcher Garrett Stallings from Triple-A Nashville to reinforce the bullpen.
Stallings has already logged three scoreless innings without allowing an earned run during his appearances for Milwaukee this season. His promotion gives the Brewers another fresh arm as they continue their postseason push.
With bullpen roles becoming increasingly competitive, every roster spot carries added importance, especially during the second half of the season.
McCullers Jr. Continues Difficult Comeback
For McCullers Jr., the latest roster move represents another obstacle in an injury-plagued comeback.
The veteran established himself as a key member of Houston’s pitching staff between 2015 and 2022, making 127 regular-season starts while also delivering several memorable postseason performances. During that stretch, he helped the Astros capture two World Series championships and earned a reputation as one of the club’s dependable starting pitchers when healthy.
Unfortunately, injuries have significantly limited his workload since Game 3 of the 2022 World Series.
Across his appearances with Houston and Milwaukee since then, McCullers Jr. has totaled just over 99 innings while posting a 6.52 earned run average. During that span, he recorded 109 strikeouts but also issued 66 walks, reflecting the command challenges that have complicated his return.
Despite those struggles, McCullers Jr.’s experience and postseason résumé could still attract interest from organizations seeking veteran pitching depth.
What’s Next for Lance McCullers Jr.?
The Brewers must now decide whether another club is willing to acquire McCullers Jr. before the seven-day deadline expires.
If no trade materializes, the waiver process will determine his next destination. Another team could claim the experienced right-hander, while an unclaimed designation would allow Milwaukee to explore a minor league assignment. Because of his service time, however, McCullers Jr. retains the option to reject that assignment and pursue other opportunities.
Although his future remains uncertain, the veteran pitcher has overcome adversity before. Whether another major league organization offers him a fresh opportunity could determine the next chapter of a career that has included championship success, extended injury recoveries, and a continued effort to return to top form.