Astros trade Lance McCullers Jr, team's longest-tenured pitcher, to Brewers

HOUSTON, Texas -- The Houston Astros have acquired prospect OF Jadyn Fielder from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for RHP Lance McCullers Jr., LHP Colton Gordon, and cash considerations.

Milwaukee leads the National League Central by five games over the Chicago Cubs; Houston is third in the American League West, three games behind the Texas Rangers.

McCullers, who reportedly is waiving his no-trade clause to complete the trade, is in the final season of a five-year, $85 million contract. The 2017 All-Star selection is 2-3 with a 6.51 ERA and 43 strikeouts in 55 innings this season. He is currently on a minor league rehab stint after going on the IL with a rotator cuff impingement.

After missing 2 seasons due to flexor tendon surgery in 2023 and a setback in 2024, McCullers, 32, returned to the Astros' rotation in 2025, though he had three trips to the injury list that season. He also missed the 2019 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

McCullers, a first-round pick in 2012, has a 53-40 career record with a 3.85 ERA and 904 strikeouts in 148 starts. He finished seventh in American League Cy Young Award voting in 2021, when he went 13-5 with a 3.15 ERA.

Gordon, 27, also offers starting depth for the Brewers as he's under team control until 2028. He has made four appearances this season, including one start, and has a career 6-4 record with a 5.95 ERA over the past two seasons. He started 14 games for Houston in 2025, with 72 strikeouts and 19 walks.

MLB's trade deadline is Aug. 3.