Brewers acquire Lance McCullers Jr. and Colton Gordon in trade with Astros
The Milwaukee Brewers have reportedly acquired veteran right-handed pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. and left-handed pitcher Colton Gordon from the Houston Astros. In return, the Astros will receive minor league outfielder Jadyn Fielder, the son of former Brewers star Prince Fielder. The trade also involves the Brewers paying a portion of McCullers’ remaining salary.
McCullers, a two-time World Series champion, waived his no-trade clause to facilitate the move to Milwaukee. The Astros are reportedly covering some of his 2026 salary as part of what has been described as a salary dump. This move follows reports that the Astros had been attempting to trade McCullers for much of the past year.
McCullers is currently in the final year of a five-year contract. He was placed on the injured list in May due to a right rotator cuff impingement and is anticipated to return in July. He has been undergoing rehab starts with Triple-A Sugar Land, where he has recorded a 2.45 ERA across three minor-league starts since June 25.
McCullers’ Career and Recent Performance
McCullers has spent his entire MLB career with the Astros, who drafted him in the first round in 2012. He made his MLB debut in 2015 and earned an All-Star selection in 2017. He also made five postseason appearances during the Astros’ 2017 World Series title run.
His career has been marked by injuries, including missing the 2019 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. He returned the following season and made three starts during the Astros’ 2022 title run. McCullers missed the 2023 and 2024 seasons due to injury before making a comeback in 2025.
This season, McCullers recorded a 6.86 ERA with a 1.525 WHIP over eight starts and 39.1 innings before his placement on the injured list in May. His sinker velocity has reportedly decreased to 91.4 mph, down from his average of 94 mph prior to his flexor and shoulder issues. Opposing batters have averaged 90.9 mph off the bat with a 50% hard-hit rate since last season.
The Astros were 47-51 and third in the AL West at the time of the trade. The Brewers, meanwhile, lead the NL Central with a 59-37 record. McCullers is set to become an unrestricted free agent before his 2027 season.
Colton Gordon and Jadyn Fielder Join New Teams
Colton Gordon, a 27-year-old left-handed pitcher, is also heading to the Brewers. Gordon, who stands 6-foot-4 and weighs 225 pounds, was an eighth-round pick for the Astros in 2021. He recently received recognition as the Pacific Coast League Pitcher of the Week for his performance with Triple-A Sugar Land.
Gordon has pitched 14 games at Triple-A this year, with a 6-3 record, a 3.69 ERA, and a 1.17 WHIP. He last pitched on July 10 in the minors, allowing no runs and four hits over six innings with seven strikeouts. He has also had limited major league experience, with 9 1/3 innings this season and a 5.34 ERA over 20 games (14 starts) in 2025.
The Brewers’ acquisition of Gordon comes as their pitching staff has faced several injuries, impacting both their major league rotation and minor league depth. Gordon has one more option year remaining after this season and five years of team control. He throws a five-pitch mix, including a four-seam fastball, sinker, slider, changeup, and curveball.
In exchange, the Astros will receive Jadyn Fielder, a 21-year-old minor league outfielder. Fielder, the son of Brewers legend Prince Fielder, went undrafted in 2024 before signing with the Brewers as a free agent. He has spent the 2026 season playing in Low-A, where he has a slash line of .233/.415/.398 in 176 plate appearances, with three home runs and 10 stolen bases.
Fielder is not considered among the top prospects in Milwaukee’s system but brings a strong baseball lineage and a keen eye at the plate, evidenced by his 18.8% walk rate. The teams officially announced the swap, confirming McCullers, Gordon, and cash to the Brewers in exchange for Fielder.
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Source: bleacherreport.com
