Brewers activate Lance McCullers Jr., start him in bullpen
Milwaukee brought right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. off the injured list and will use him out of the bullpen, while left-hander Jared Koenig was optioned to Triple-A.
The Milwaukee Brewers activated newly acquired right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. from the 15-day injured list at the start of the second half of the season and placed him in the bullpen, manager Pat Murphy said. In a corresponding move, left-hander Jared Koenig was optioned to Triple-A Nashville.
McCullers, who has not pitched in the majors since May 13, will make his first appearance in relief against the Miami Marlins, with Logan Henderson starting for Milwaukee. The Brewers also listed Shane Drohan and Robert Gasser as part of the series roster.
The team’s next two games against the New York Mets will feature Brandon Sproat and Jacob Misiorowski, the latter returning after being scratched before the All-Star break due to arm fatigue. The Mets have named Freddy Peralta as their starter for the opening game at American Family Field.
McCullers posted a 6.86 ERA over 39 1/3 innings in eight starts for the Houston Astros before missing two months with shoulder inflammation. He completed a rehab assignment throwing up to 77 pitches, but the Brewers opted to keep him in relief rather than add him to the rotation.
The trade that brought McCullers to Milwaukee also included minor-league pitcher Colton Gordon, who was assigned to Triple-A. Milwaukee assumed roughly $2.5 million of McCullers’ $17 million salary as part of the deal.
Koenig’s demotion marks his first assignment to the minors in two years after a 2025 season in which he recorded a 2.86 ERA over 66 innings. He struggled in his most recent appearance, allowing nine runs (seven earned) on 12 hits and seven walks.
Injuries have depleted Milwaukee’s left-handed relief corps, with Angel Zerpa, Rob Zastryzny, and Koenig all dealing with health issues. Aaron Ashby remains the only left-handed reliever on the active roster, and the club may look for additional options before the trade deadline.
Pitcher Kyle Harrison is expected to return soon from forearm tightness, while Quinn Priester is out for the season after thoracic outlet surgery. Brandon Woodruff was transferred to the 60-day injured list, and manager Pat Murphy said the prognosis for Woodruff’s shoulder injury “isn’t good.”