Brewers Acquire McCullers Jr. in Surprise Trade

In a significant move, the Milwaukee Brewers have acquired right-handed pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. from the Houston Astros. This trade, which occurred on Wednesday, marks the first time McCullers Jr. will play for an organization other than the Astros since his professional career began in 2012. For the transaction to proceed, McCullers Jr. agreed to waive his no-trade clause.

The Brewers also bolstered their pitching staff by acquiring left-handed reliever Colton Gordon as part of the same deal. Gordon, 27, has made limited appearances in the Majors since 2025, posting a 5.95 ERA and allowing a high number of home runs per nine innings. However, he has demonstrated stronger performance in the minor leagues, suggesting potential development.

Gordon's long-term controllability with the Brewers depends on his service time accumulation. As of July 15, 2026, he has accumulated 112 days of major league service plus an additional 14 days this season. If he spends 46 more days on the active roster or injured list, he will reach one full year of service time, making him controllable for an additional five years through 2031.