Full Breakdown
Brewers Acquire Reliever Joel Kuhnel Amid Pitching Injury Surge
6/7/2026, 10:05:56 PM
The Trade: Brewers Add Right-Hander Joel Kuhnel
On Saturday, the Milwaukee Brewers completed a cash-consideration trade with the Oakland Athletics to acquire right-handed reliever Joel Kuhnel. The move came after left-hander Brian Fitzpatrick was placed on the 15-day injured list, creating the eighth spot on Milwaukee’s pitching roster. The transaction was announced before the Brewers’ game against the Colorado Rockies.
Injury Toll on Milwaukee’s Pitching Staff
Milwaukee’s arms have been heavily depleted. In addition to Fitzpatrick’s left-elbow strain, the club has the following pitchers on the injured list: right-hander Quinn Priester (right thoracic outlet syndrome, transferred to the 60-day IL); left-handers DL Hall (left pectoral strain), Rob Zastryzny (left trapezius strain), Jared Koenig (left elbow sprain), and Angel Zerpa (left forearm tightness); right-hander Brandon Woodruff (right shoulder inflammation); and Logan Henderson (lower-back strain). Grant Anderson remains day-to-day with a forearm contusion. The cumulative injuries prompted the roster addition of Kuhnel.
Joel Kuhnel: Recent Performance and Career Overview
Kuhnel, 31, appeared in 25 relief outings for Oakland this season, posting a 1-2 record, four saves and a 4.21 ERA. A four-run outing against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday inflated his ERA; without that appearance, it would have been 2.88. Over his six-year MLB career, he is 5-5 with a 5.51 ERA across 107 games for the Cincinnati Reds, Houston Astros, Tampa Bay Rays and the Athletics. Earlier in 2024 he was on the Brewers’ major-league roster twice but did not pitch. The cash-only deal adds a veteran arm with recent high-leverage experience.
Official Statements & Organizational Response
Athletics communications confirmed the transaction: “The A’s have traded RHP Joel Kuhnel to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for cash considerations.” The Brewers issued a brief release before Saturday’s game, noting the acquisition was intended to bolster a pitching staff strained by multiple injuries. No additional quotations from team officials appear in the source material.
Verbatim Quotes
- “He's got a strain of the UCL,” — Pat Murphy, Brewers manager
- “We're going to get another opinion on it to see if we're just going to rehab or if he has to get another Tommy John.” — Pat Murphy, Brewers manager
- “We want to get our doctor's hands on him.” — Pat Murphy, Brewers manager
- “We're going to get another opinion on it to see if we're just going to rehab or if he has to get another Tommy John. We want to get our doctor's hands on him. Rehab it right now.” — Pat Murphy, Brewers manager
- “The A’s have traded RHP Joel Kuhnel to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for cash considerations.” — Athletics communications
What’s Next: Upcoming Schedule and Outlook
Following two more games against the Colorado Rockies, Milwaukee will travel to face the Oakland Athletics on Monday. The Brewers entered Saturday’s game with a 7-1 victory, extending a recent run of 7-3 over their last ten games and a 17-10 record in 27 road contests. The addition of Kuhnel aims to provide immediate depth as the club navigates its ongoing injury challenges.
