Milwaukee Brewers acquire Joel Kuhnel as pitching injuries continue to mount

Milwaukee Brewers acquired right-handed pitcher Joel Kuhnel from the Athletics for cash considerations on Saturday as their injury-hit pitching staff suffered another setback.

The move came after right-hander Brian Fitzpatrick became the eighth Brewers pitcher to be placed on the injured list.

Fitzpatrick was added to the 15-day IL after injuring his left elbow on Friday during Milwaukee’s game against the Colorado Rockies.

The injury occurred after he threw just one warm-up pitch before entering the seventh inning.

Providing an update on Fitzpatrick’s condition, Brewers manager Pat Murphy said he has suffered a UCL strain.

"He's got a strain of the UCL," manager Pat Murphy said of Fitzpatrick.

"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."

Kuhnel, 31, joins Milwaukee after posting a 4.21 ERA and recording four saves in 25 appearances during his first season with the Athletics. He was designated for assignment by Oakland on Friday.

Although Kuhnel spent time on the Brewers’ major league roster on two occasions in 2024, he did not make an appearance.

The Brewers also transferred right-hander Quinn Priester, who is recovering from right thoracic outlet syndrome, to the 60-day injured list.

Milwaukee’s lengthy injury list additionally includes pitchers DL Hall, Rob Zastryzny, Jared Koenig, Angel Zerpa, Brandon Woodruff and Logan Henderson, further testing the club’s pitching depth.