The Milwaukee Brewers' experiment with Lance McCullers Jr. came to an abrupt end after just two relief appearances.
The Milwaukee Brewers have ended their brief experiment with veteran right-hander Lance McCullers Jr., designating him for assignment less than two weeks after acquiring him from the Houston Astros.
Milwaukee announced the move on Sunday while recalling right-handed pitcher Garrett Stallings to take McCullers' place on the active roster. The transaction also leaves the Brewers with two open spots on their 40-man roster, giving the club additional flexibility as it approaches the MLB trade deadline.
McCullers joined Milwaukee in a July 15 trade that sent minor-league infielder Jadyn Fielder to Houston. The Brewers also received left-handed pitcher Colton Gordon and cash considerations as part of the deal, hoping McCullers could provide bullpen depth for the second half of the season.
Instead, his stay with the organization proved to be extremely short.
Difficult outings sealed McCullers' fate
After being activated on July 17, McCullers appeared in only two games out of Milwaukee's bullpen.
His Brewers debut came against the New York Mets on July 20, when he surrendered two earned runs over three innings of work. While not an ideal first impression, Milwaukee gave him another opportunity several days later.
That second outing was even more troublesome.
McCullers recorded just five outs while issuing four walks in 1.2 innings. Although the three runs he allowed were ruled unearned, his inability to consistently throw strikes added to the concerns surrounding his performance.
In total, McCullers finished his Brewers tenure having pitched just 4.2 innings across two appearances before the club decided to move in a different direction.
Injuries, command issues continue to follow veteran
The 32-year-old has spent the past several seasons attempting to regain the form that once made him one of Houston's most dependable starters.
A series of significant arm injuries interrupted that pursuit, including surgery to address flexor tendon issues and bone spurs that forced him to miss the entire 2023 and 2024 seasons. Since returning to the majors in 2025, however, the results have not resembled the pitcher who was a key contributor during the Astros' postseason runs.
Across 99.1 innings since the beginning of last season, McCullers has posted a 6.52 ERA while struggling with his command. His elevated walk rate has become one of the biggest obstacles in his comeback, limiting his effectiveness despite flashes of his previous repertoire.
Milwaukee's decision suggests the club no longer believes McCullers fits into its pitching plans. The veteran will now enter the DFA process, where he could be traded, claimed by another organization, or, if he clears waivers, remain available for another opportunity elsewhere as he continues to search for a fresh start.
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