The MLB trade deadline isn’t until August 3, but the Milwaukee Brewers are getting a head start.
The morning after the MLB All-Star Game, the Brewers are finalizing a deal with the Houston Astros that would send veteran starting pitcher Lance McCullers to Milwaukee, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com.
Source: The Astros are finalizing a trade to send veteran RHP Lance McCullers Jr. to the Milwaukee Brewers.
— Brian McTaggart (@brianmctaggart) July 15, 2026
McTaggart added that McCullers has a no-trade clause, meaning the pitcher had to approve this deal in order for it to be done. The Brewers are also acquiring pitcher Colton Gordon, according to Jon Heyman of The New York Post.
McCullers has spent his entire MLB career with the Astros. He was an All-Star in 2017 and was part of both World Series-winning teams.
McCullers’ biggest moments came in 2017. He threw four scoreless innings in Game 7 of the ALCS against the New York Yankees. He then started Game 7 of the World Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, throwing 2.1 innings of shutout baseball en route to a 4-1 victory.
The Astros veteran dealt with injuries in 2023 and 2024, causing him not to pitch in either season. This year, he has started eight games, going just 2-3 with a 6.86 ERA, but the Brewers are hoping he can be an extra piece as they try and make a deep run in the postseason.
Brandon Woodruff just landed back on the IL for Milwaukee, so adding McCullers is a decent piece of insurance for the pitching staff.
