Joel Kuhnel - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Brewers play in first MLB regular-season games in Vegas since '96 LAS VEGAS -- Two days after a trade that brought him back to the Brewers for cash, righty reliever Joel Kuhnel joined his new team on Monday...

6 DAYS AGO • MLB.COM

Brewers Shake Up Bullpen, Option Craig Yoho for 6-Year Veteran The Milwaukee Brewers are sending Craig Yoho back down to the minors and promoting Joel Kuhnel in his place.

6 DAYS AGO • SI.COM

Traded to Milwaukee The Athletics traded Kuhnel to Milwaukee in exchange for cash considerations on Saturday.

Impact After being designated for assignment Friday, the Athletics decided to trade Kuhnel to Milwaukee. The 31-year-old imploded in his last appearance, allowing four earned runs on five hits in just two-thirds of an inning and was given the loss after blowing a three-run lead in the bottom of the ninth. On the season, the left-hander has recorded a 4.21 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB in 25.2 innings.

JUNE 7 • ROTOWIRE

DFA'd following blowup game The Athletics designated Kuhnel for assignment Friday.

Impact The 31-year-old Kuhnel was on the mound for the Athletics' ninth-inning collapse Thursday against the Cubs. He allowed four runs on five hits across two-thirds of an inning, blowing a 6-3 lead. Kuhnel pitched to a 4.21 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB across 25.2 innings out of the bullpen this season.

JUNE 5 • ROTOWIRE

Crow-Armstrong's RBI single in the bottom of the 9th lifts Cubs past the Athletics 7-6

Pete Crow-Armstrong’s bloop RBI single capped a four-run ninth inning and the Chicago Cubs beat the Athletics 7-6 to avoid a three-game series sweep

JUNE 5 • Associated Press

Tallies first win Kuhnel (1-1) earned the win in Thursday's 3-2 win over the Angels. He allowed a hit and a walk with no strikeouts over a scoreless inning.

Impact Kuhnel entered with the game tied in the ninth inning and allowed two Angels to reach base, but he was able to work out of the jam and send the contest to extra innings. The Athletics secured their second extra-inning win in as many days and ultimately made Kuhnel the winning pitcher. The right-hander has been solid this season and emerged as an early closer option, though he hasn't been thrust into a save situation since April 20. Overall, the 31-year-old owns a 2.41 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 10:5 K:BB with four saves and three holds across 18.2 innings.

MAY 22 • ROTOWIRE

Gelof hits RBI groundout in 10th inning to give Athletics 3-2 win over Angels

Zack Gelof’s fielder’s choice groundout in the 10th inning drove in Nick Kurtz to give the Athletics a 3-2 victory over the Los Angeles Angels

MAY 22 • Associated Press

Kurtz homers for 3rd straight game to help the Athletics beat the Giants 5-2

Nick Kurtz homered for a third straight game, hitting a go-ahead three-run shot in the fifth inning and the Athletics beat the San Francisco Giants 5-2 on Friday night

MAY 16 • Associated Press

JJ Wetherholt hits a 2-run homer and Cardinals jump on Athletics early in 6-4 win

JJ Wetherholt hit a two-run homer, José Fermín drove in two with a double and the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Athletics 6-4

MAY 13 • Associated Press

Thomas, Gelof, Soderstrom each hit a HR as Athletics beat Guardians 7-1

Colby Thomas, Zack Gelof and Tyler Soderstrom homered to back a strong start by Aaron Civale and the Athletics beat the Cleveland Guardian 7-1 on Sunday to avoid a series sweep

MAY 3 • Associated Press

Josh Naylor hits walk-off single and Cal Raleigh homers as Mariners beat A's 5-4 to avoid sweep

Josh Naylor hit a game-ending single, Cal Raleigh homered for the third time in as many games and the Seattle Mariners beat the Athletics 5-4 to avoid a three-game sweep

APRIL 22 • Associated Press

Surprise high-leverage success has the Athletics looking competitive | Sporting News Joel Kuhnel has stepped up tremendously.

APRIL 21 • SPORTINGNEWS.COM

Registers fourth save Monday Kuhnel picked up a save against the Mariners on Monday, allowing one run on two hits over one inning.

Impact Kuhnel was called upon in the ninth inning to protect a three-run lead. He gave up a single and a double to allow a run to score but was ultimately able to finish off the A's victory. The run was the first charged to Kuhnel this season, and the pair of hits were as many as he'd given up across his first six appearances. With four saves over his past five outings and no blown saves on the season, Kuhnel appears to have a solid grasp on the team's closer role despite fanning just three batters over seven total innings.

APRIL 21 • ROTOWIRE

Carlos Cortes goes 4 for 5 with a homer and the Athletics beat the Mariners 6-4

Carlos Cortes, Nick Kurtz and Shea Langeliers each hit a solo homer, and the Athletics overcame an early three-run deficit to defeat the Seattle Mariners 6-4

APRIL 21 • Associated Press

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.

APRIL 16 • 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

APRIL 16 • 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

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