Lance McCullers Jr. had an important decision to make.
A quick phone chat with Josh Hader helped seal the deal.
“Actually when the Astros had brought up Milwaukee and asked me if I was willing to waive the no-trade, one of the first calls I made was to Josh,” said McCullers, referring to the former Milwaukee Brewers closer who’s now filling that same role for Houston.
McCullers obviously liked what he heard, because he was traded along with left-hander Colton Gordon and cash on July 15 in exchange for minor-league outfielder Jadyn Fielder.
“Nothing but absolute amazing things to say about the organization, the city, the fans,” McCullers continued. “He hasn’t been here in a few years but enjoyed his time in the city so much and it’ll be a great place to go and be for the rest of the year.
“I’ve known Josh for a long time. We played together in the minor leagues before he got traded over to Milwaukee. So him saying that made me a little more comfortable with it. I talked to other guys as well – Brett Phillips, Dallas Keuchel – and everyone just kept saying the same thing.
“It’s a great organization to play for. They loved the coaching staff, the guys in the clubhouse, the city, the fans. So it made me a little more comfortable to make that leap of faith.”
McCullers, 32, was reinstated from the injured list prior to the Brewers’ series opener against the Miami Marlins on Friday, July 17 with left-hander Jared Koenig being optioned to Class AAA Nashville in the corresponding move.
“I’m excited to be here,” McCullers said. “I’ve seen the Brewers the last few years and really always respected the way that they play. They’re a hard-nosed group. Reminds me a lot of the previous teams that have had success that I’ve been on. I think all of that was a part of the willingness to waive the no-trade.
“I think it’s a good opportunity for me to come to a great, winning club that has World Series aspirations and I’m excited to be a part of it.”
McCullers hasn’t pitched in the majors since May 13 due to a rotator cuff impingement, although he was in the midst of a minor-league rehab stint with Houston when he was traded.
“I feel good,” he said. “I had three rehab starts, got up to almost 80 pitches my last start. One thing I’ve always tried to hang my hat on is to be a great clubhouse guy, do what I can for the team to help them win and whatever they ask of me that’s what I’ll do.”
Manager Pat Murphy said at least for now, McCullers will pitch out of the Brewers’ bullpen. It will undoubtedly feel a little foreign to him, with 148 of his 154 career appearances in the majors coming as a starter.
“I think to start, that’s the way to do it,” Murphy said of McCullers pitching in relief. “Fitting in right now, that’s where we need help. He’s dealing with his own stuff right now. First time away from Houston – it’s got to be a huge transition for him and his family. That’s important.
“We love his experience. We love what he brings to the table and hopefully he can get some outs and help some other people get better.”
It’s indeed been a whirlwind for McCullers, who’d been a lifelong Astro having been drafted 41st overall in the 2012 draft and debuted in the majors in 2015 with them.
“I got here yesterday. My family’s been with me. It’s been a wild 24 hours,” he said. “I feel ready. I’m here to serve and I want to be the best asset I can be to the guys in the clubhouse and to the team, so whatever they’re looking for I’m here for it.”
McCullers said he’s familiar with one of his new teammates, right-hander Logan Henderson, with the two training in the offseason at the same Houston-area facility.
He made it clear he arrives in Milwaukee as an open book.
“I think they’re trying to let me settle in a little bit, but I’m excited to hear what they have to say,” he said. “Obviously, I’m at a much different point in my career now than I was when I was a little bit younger – quite a few surgeries, quite a bit of adversity as of late.
“I’m an open book. I’m ready to make adjustments, use my stuff different. Whatever they feel gives me the best opportunity to throw the ball well.”
McCullers, who’s in the final year of the five-year, $85 million deal he signed with Houston in the 2021 offseason, was asked what’s kept him going despite having missed both the 2023 and 2024 seasons to flexor surgery. He also missed the 2019 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery.
“I think just the continuous belief I have in my faith and continuing to get opportunities,” he said. “They haven’t been easy. I’ve had to grind through a lot; the last elbow surgery, that process and coming back from that has been tough and I’m still not where I want to be. But sometimes things take more time than you want them to.
“I’m trying to be patient and stay focused on being a good teammate and doing what I can where I can, and I think this is a great opportunity for me to start fresh in a way and really try to allow the Brewers to help me get the best out of me.”
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Lance McCullers Jr. activated by the Brewers, to pitch out of bullpen
Reporting by Todd Rosiak, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
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By Todd Rosiak, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel | USA TODAY Network
