Brewers Trade for Joel Kuhnel After Fitzpatrick Joins Injured List

DENVER (AP) — The Milwaukee Brewers have made a move to bolster their pitching staff by acquiring right-hander Joel Kuhnel from the Oakland Athletics for cash on Saturday. This transaction follows the unfortunate news that pitcher Brian Fitzpatrick has become the eighth member of the Brewers' pitching roster to land on the injured list.

Fitzpatrick was placed on the 15-day injured list after suffering a left elbow injury while warming up for the seventh inning against the Colorado Rockies. Manager Pat Murphy provided an update, stating, “He’s got a strain of the UCL. 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.”

Joel Kuhnel, 31, recently had a 4.21 ERA and notched four saves across 25 appearances with the Athletics before being designated for assignment on Friday. He previously spent time on the Brewers’ major league roster twice in 2024 but did not make any game appearances. Over his career, Kuhnel holds a record of 5-5 with a 5.51 ERA in 107 games played for teams including Cincinnati, Houston, Tampa Bay, and Oakland.

The Brewers continue to face challenges with their pitching lineup, as right-hander Quinn Priester has been moved from the 15-day to the 60-day injured list due to right thoracic outlet syndrome. Additionally, several other pitchers, including DL Hall, Rob Zastryzny, Jared Keonig, Angel Zerpa, Brandon Woodruff, and Logan Henderson, are currently sidelined with various injuries.