The Athletics have traded relief pitcher Joel Kuhnel of Goldsboro, North Carolina to the Milwaukee Brewers for future considerations according to MLB Trade Rumors on Saturday. The trade comes as the Brewers have had various injuries to their relievers. Those out with ailments include southpaw Angel Zerpa of Valle de la Pascua, Venezuela (Tommy John Surgery), Jared Koenig of San Jose, California (left ulnar collateral ligament sprain), Canadian Rob Zastryzny of Edmonton, Alberta (back strain), southpaw DL Hall of Valdosta, Georgia (left pectoral strain), Brian Fitzpatrick of Smithtown, New York (strained ulnar collateral ligament), and Carlos Rodriguez of Rivas, Nicaragua (right shoulder impingement). ‘
Milwaukee becomes Kuhnel’s fifth Major League Baseball team. He has previously pitched for four seasons with the Cincinnati Reds (2019, 2020, 2022 and 2023), two seasons with the Houston Astros (2023 and 2024), one season with the Tampa Bay Rays (2024) and one season with the Milwaukee Brewers (2026).
So far in 2026, Kuhnel has pitched in 25 games with the Athletics and had a record of one win and two losses with an earned run average of 4.21. During 25 2/3 innings pitched, he has given up 27 hits, 12 earned runs, two home runs and six walks, to go along with 14 strikeouts, four saves, three holds, and a WHIP (walks ands hits per innings pitched) of 1.29. Kuhnel’s win came on May 21. Kuhnel threw a shutout inning in a 3-2 Athletics win over the Los Angeles Angels.
The Brewers are currently at 41 wins and 23 losses. They lead the second place St. Louis Cardinals by five and a half games in the National League Central.
