Brewers bolster rotation by getting
Lance McCullers Jr. and Colton Gordon in a deal with the Astros
[July 16, 2026]
MILWAUKEE (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers acquired right-handed pitcher
Lance McCullers Jr. and left-hander Colton Gordon from the Houston
Astros on Wednesday for outfield prospect Jadyn Fielder.
Houston agreed to pay Milwaukee $4,227,273 to offset most of
McCullers' remaining salary, leaving his cost to the Brewers at $2.5
million. Astros general manager Dana Brown said they created
flexibility in payroll and the roster for a team currently three
games back of Texas in the AL West.
“Make no mistakes, we are still trying to improve this team," Brown
said. "We are still actively talking about acquiring a left-hand
bat.”
Milwaukee cleared space on the 40-man roster by placing left-hander
Rob Zastryzny to the 60-day injured list.
Milwaukee went into the All-Star break with a five-game lead in the
NL Central and trailed the defending World Series champion Los
Angeles Dodgers for best record in the NL. The Brewers' 3.48 ERA
ranks second in the majors behind only the New York Yankees but
injuries to their starting rotation left them seeking depth.
Two-time All-Star Brandon Woodruff is on the 60-day injured list
after an MRI exam revealed a new injury to the anterior capsule in
his shoulder, which was surgically repaired after the 2023 season.
Left-hander Kyle Harrison was placed on the 15-day injured list
Saturday with tightness in his throwing forearm.
McCullers, 32, is son of former big league reliever Lance McCullers.
He helped Houston win the World Series in 2017 and 2022, and has
spent his entire career with the Astros.
McCullers Jr. is 53-40 with a 3.85 ERA over 154 games. He was an
All-Star in 2017, had Tommy John surgery in November 2018 and missed
the 2019 season. Surgery in June 2023 kept him out through the 2024
season, and Brown said McCullers was an inspiration for grinding
through the injuries.
“He was battling to come back," Brown said. "I think Milwaukee
having a few injuries right now made sense that he can get some
opportunity there.”
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Lance McCullers Jr. of the Houston Astros throws to live batters
before a baseball game against the Cleveland Guardians, June 19,
2026, in Houston. (AP Photo/Kevin M. Cox, File)
He has $6,727,273 remaining of his $17 million
salary in the final season of an $85 million, five-year contract.
The Astros will pay Milwaukee $914,005 on July 31, $1,770,885 on
Aug, 31 and $1,542,383 on Sept. 30.
McCullers, is 2-3 with a 6.86 ERA in eight starts. Inflammation in
his right shoulder landed him on the 15-day IL on May 19, and he has
been on a rehab assignment at Triple-A Sugar Land.
Gordon, 27, made his major league debut in 2025. He went 6-4 with a
5.34 ERA and a save in 20 games. Gordon has started one of his four
appearances with Houston this season.
Fielder, 21, the son of former Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder
and grandson of Cecil Fielder, made his professional debut in 2025.
He was in Class A before the trade. Brown called Fielder a true
professional and patient hitter with good plate discipline.
“Most likely will play the outfield, although he’s played some first
base and second base. But you know good bloodlines, of course,”
Brown said. "And you know just the opportunity to acquire a young
bat”
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