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Brewers DFA McCullers Just Weeks After Astros Trade

Sport
July 26, 2026
Comic pop-art illustration of a player figure in motion representing a roster move

The Milwaukee Brewers traded for Lance McCullers Jr. on July 15. The Brewers designated McCullers for assignment 11 days later. A brief Milwaukee tenure ended Sunday.

A First-Place Brewers Rotation Ran Out of Room for McCullers

The Brewers announced the McCullers move before Sunday’s game against the Colorado Rockies. Milwaukee recalled right-hander Garrett Stallings in the corresponding roster shuffle. The designation dropped the Brewers’ 40-man roster to 38 players. Milwaukee now holds one week to trade, waive, or release McCullers.

The Astros sent McCullers and left-hander Colton Gordon to Milwaukee for prospect Jadyn Fielder on July 15. Houston agreed to pay the Brewers $4,227,273 to cover most of McCullers’ salary. That side payment left Milwaukee owing McCullers roughly $2.5 million. McCullers went 2-3 with a 6.86 ERA in eight starts for Houston in 2026.

The quick reversal shows how little Milwaukee risked on the McCullers trade. The Brewers bought low on a veteran and moved on when the fit faltered. Milwaukee had hoped McCullers could soak up rotation innings down the stretch. Houston had signed McCullers to a five-year, $85 million extension in 2021. McCullers made just two appearances before Milwaukee reversed course. Houston, meanwhile, cleared McCullers’ salary and added outfielder Jadyn Fielder in return.

Milwaukee tried McCullers in relief and saw a small, mixed sample. McCullers posted a 3.86 ERA across two bullpen outings for the Brewers. That sample stayed too thin to erase a 6.86 ERA as a starter. McCullers owns a career 53-40 record and a 3.85 ERA since 2015.

The Brewers can shrug off the miss because Milwaukee keeps winning. Milwaukee sits at 64-39 and leads the NL Central. That record ranks among the best in the National League this season. The failed McCullers flier cost the Brewers only a fringe prospect and cash. Milwaukee now refocuses its rotation search before the Aug. 3 trade deadline.

McCullers now waits to learn whether a rotation-needy team claims him. Any club could add McCullers cheaply because Houston still covers most of his salary. A rebuilding club could also stash McCullers for a 2027 rotation look. A waiver claim or minor league deal likely decides McCullers’ next stop. The Aug. 3 deadline could reshape several rotations before McCullers lands.

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Sources: ESPN reported the Brewers’ decision to designate Lance McCullers for assignment. MLB Trade Rumors detailed the salary terms and the Garrett Stallings recall.