Joel Kuhnel - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Secures four-out save Kuhnel struck out two over 1.1 perfect innings to earn the save in Wednesday's 6-5 win over the Rangers.

Impact Kuhnel got the call in the eighth inning after Mark Leiter gave up a three-run home run to Jake Burger to make it a one-run game. This was Kuhnel's third save of the season, good for the team lead over Leiter. The difference has been in the performance -- Kuhnel has tossed 4.2 scoreless innings so far, while Leiter has a 9.00 ERA through eight frames. Kuhnel has added a 3:0 K:BB and has given up just one hit. The Athletics' bullpen is functioning as a committee currently, but Kuhnel looks to be a slight favorite for saves as long as he continues to pitch well. Hogan Harris and Scott Barlow are also in the mix for late-inning work.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Langeliers, Wilson hit HRs as Athletics beat Rangers 6-5, sit atop AL West for 1st time since 2021

Shea Langeliers and Jacob Wilson each hit two-run homers to help the Athletics beat the Texas Rangers 6-5

3 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Nails down second save Kuhnel picked up the save Sunday against the Mets, throwing a clean ninth inning.

Impact Kuhnel made quick work of the Mets on Sunday, retiring the side on a mere four pitches (three strikes). It was the second save of the season for the right-hander, who may be working his way into the ninth-inning mix in the Athletics' unsettled closer picture. Kuhnel has tossed 3.1 scoreless innings so far this year, and it's worth noting that high-leverage arms Hogan Harris, Scott Barlow and Elvis Alvarado all worked ahead of Kuhnel on Sunday.

APRIL 12 • ROTOWIRE

Kurtz hits his first homer of the season and the Athletics sweep the slumping Mets, 1-0

Nick Kurtz hit his first home run this season, sending the Athletics to a 1-0 victory and a three-game sweep of the slumping New York Mets

APRIL 12 • Associated Press

Secures save Wednesday Kuhnel struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Yankees.

Impact This was Kuhnel's second appearance of the season, and he was trusted with a one-run lead that the Athletics had earned in the top of the ninth inning. He got the job done on 12 pitches (eight strikes), finishing with a strikeout of Ryan McMahon. Mark Leiter had the Athletics' first save of the campaign, but he also leads the team with two blown saves, one of which was Tuesday. Scott Barlow and Hogan Harris were both utilized earlier in the game while the score was tied at 2-2. The closer job could very well be up for grabs, but it's unclear if Kuhnel will be a serious contender for ninth-inning duties. With most of the Athletics' relievers getting hit hard early in the campaign, simply pitching at an average level could help Kuhnel at least secure high-leverage work.

APRIL 9 • ROTOWIRE

Rooker's 9th-inning sacrifice fly lifts Athletics over Yankees 3-2

Brent Rooker hit a go-ahead sacrifice fly off David Bednar in the ninth inning, and the Athletics rallied to beat the New York Yankees 3-2

APRIL 9 • Associated Press

Athletics option RHP Luis Morales to Triple-A Las Vegas to fix control issues

The Athletics optioned pitcher Luis Morales to Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday, and manager Mark Kotsay said he hopes the 23-year-old right-hander regains his confidence after strugg...

APRIL 7 • Associated Press

Officially called up The Athletics selected Kuhnel's contract from Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday.

Impact The right-hander delivered two scoreless outings for Las Vegas and will replace Luis Morales on the Athletics' active roster. Kuhnel last pitched in the majors in 2024, when he made 10 regular-season appearances between the Rays and Astros, giving up five earned runs with a 5:0 K:BB over 10 innings.

APRIL 7 • ROTOWIRE

Promotion on tap Kuhnel will have his contract selected from Triple-A Las Vegas ahead of Tuesday's game against the Yankees, Martin Gallegos of MLB.com reports.

Impact Kuhnel will be the corresponding move after the Athletics elected to option Luis Morales to Triple-A earlier in the day Monday. Kuhnel has looked sharp in two appearances so far this season with the Aviators, as he's racked up six strikeouts over three scoreless frames.

APRIL 7 • ROTOWIRE

Nabs MiLB deal from Athletics The Athletics signed Kuhnel to a minor-league contract Tuesday.

Impact Kuhnel spent all of the 2025 season at the Triple-A level in the Phillies and Yankees organizations. The big right-hander holds a career 5.86 ERA and 76:24 K:BB over 93.2 frames covering parts of five big-league seasons. Kuhnel will likely begin the 2026 campaign at Triple-A Las Vegas.

DECEMBER 17, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Signs with Pinstripes Kuhnel signed a minor-league contract with the Yankees on Friday.

Impact Kuhnel didn't have to wait long to find his next gig after being released by the Phillies on Thursday. The 30-year-old reliever turned in a 3.62 ERA and 1.21 WHIP over 32.1 frames at Lehigh Valley and will remain an organizational depth piece upon joining his new club.

JULY 5, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Signs with Pinstripes Kuhnel signed a minor-league contract with the Yankees on Friday.

JULY 5, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Inks minors deal with Philadelphia The Phillies signed Kuhnel to a minor-league contract on Dec. 21, Steve Potter of PhilliesBaseballFan.com reports.

Impact Kuhnel, who turns 30 in February, has collected a career 5.86 ERA and 76:24 K:BB over 93.2 innings covering parts of five seasons at the major-league level. The big righty will give the Phillies some experienced relief depth.

DECEMBER 26, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Becomes free agent Kuhnel elected free agency Monday.

Impact He cleared waivers after being scrubbed from the Rays' 40-man roster but will test out free agency rather than accepting an outright assignment. Kuhnel holds a career 5.86 ERA and 76:24 K:BB over 93.2 innings covering parts of five seasons at the big-league level.

NOVEMBER 4, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Returns to Triple-A The Rays optioned Kuhnel to Triple-A Durham on Sunday.

Impact The right-hander was called up by Tampa Bay on Monday and will return to Triple-A after he allowed a run over four frames during his time in the majors. Kuhnel has made six appearances in the big leagues between the Rays and Astros this season, and he has a 4.50 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 1:5 K:BB across 10 innings.

AUGUST 25, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Back up from Triple-A The Rays recalled Kuhnel from Triple-A Durham on Monday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.

Impact Kuhnel has four scoreless relief innings under his belt with the Rays this season and has also spent time in the majors this year with the Brewers and Astros, although he didn't make an appearance for Milwaukee. He'll pitch in low-leverage situations.

AUGUST 19, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Heads to Triple-A The Rays optioned Kuhnel to Triple-A Durham on Wednesday.

Impact Kuhnel tossed two scoreless innings out of the bullpen in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Cardinals and was unlikely to be available for another day or two, so he was an easy choice for the Rays to move off the active roster to clear room for right-hander Drew Rasmussen (elbow), who was reinstated from the 60-day injured list in a corresponding move. The 29-year-old right-hander will head back to Durham after making a pair of two-inning appearances in relief following his July 30 promotion.

AUGUST 7, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Recalled after deadline The Rays recalled Kuhnel from Triple-A Durham on Tuesday.

Impact Kuhnel was claimed by the Rays off waivers from the Brewers on July 23. The 29-year-old made two appearances for Durham, allowing three runs across two innings. The right-hander finds himself in the bigs as a replacement for Shawn Armstrong, who was acquired by the Cardinals from the Rays before Tuesday's trade deadline.

JULY 30, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

News and Notes: Jim Bowden "would be shocked" if the Jays don't trade Chad Green, former Blue Jay Joel Kuhnel claimed off waivers by the Rays, and more! There is less than one week remaining...

JULY 24, 2024 • BLUEJAYSNATION.COM

Claimed by Tampa Bay The Rays claimed Kuhnel off waivers from the Brewers on Tuesday, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Impact The right-hander was designated for assignment by Milwaukee over the weekend, and Tampa Bay didn't waste any time scooping him up on waivers. Kuhnel has made just one appearance in the majors this season (with the Astros), but he's pitched well at the Triple-A level with a 2.30 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 17:8 K:BB across 27.1 innings.

JULY 23, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Dropped from 40-man roster The Brewers designated Kuhnel for assignment Sunday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Impact Though Kuhnel has a minor-league option remaining, the Brewers opted to move him off their 40-man roster to open up a spot in the bullpen for lefty Jared Koenig (elbow), who was reinstated from the 15-day injured list in a corresponding move. Kuhnel has now been DFA'd by the Brewers on two occasions since he signed a minor-league deal with the organization in June. He didn't make any appearances out of the Milwaukee bullpen after being called up from Triple-A Nashville last Sunday.

JULY 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Called up from Triple-A The Brewers selected Kuhnel's contract from Triple-A Nashville on Sunday, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports.

Impact Milwaukee designated southpaw Dallas Keuchel for assignment to clear room on the 40-man roster and 26-man active roster for Kuhnel, who will join the Brewers for the second time this season. Kuhnel's previous stint with Milwaukee lasted just one day, as he was called up from Nashville on June 25 before being designated for assignment a day later and eventually accepting an outright assignment back to the Triple-A club.

JULY 14, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Blue Jays put Alek Manoah on IL with elbow sprain, acquire Ryan Burr from Phillies

The Toronto Blue Jays put right-hander Alek Manoah on the 15-day injured list because of a sprained elbow, and have acquired right-hander Ry...

MAY 31, 2024 • FOX SPORTS

Blue Jays put Alek Manoah on IL with elbow sprain, acquire Ryan Burr from Phillies

Blue Jays acquire right-handed pitcher Joel Kuhnel from Astros The Toronto Blue Jays have added some pitching depth to their roster....

MAY 5, 2024 • BLUEJAYSNATION.COM

Astros trade RHP Joel Kuhnel to Blue Jays The Houston Astros traded right-handed pitcher Joel Kuhnel to the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday for cash considerations.Kuhnel had been desi...

MAY 5, 2024 • NEWSOBSERVER.COM

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Langeliers, Wilson hit HRs as Athletics beat Rangers 6-5, sit atop AL West for 1st time since 2021

Kurtz hits his first homer of the season and the Athletics sweep the slumping Mets, 1-0

Rooker's 9th-inning sacrifice fly lifts Athletics over Yankees 3-2

Athletics option RHP Luis Morales to Triple-A Las Vegas to fix control issues

Blue Jays put Alek Manoah on IL with elbow sprain, acquire Ryan Burr from Phillies