The Houston Astros are trading away one of their franchise mainstays.
The Astros are sending right-handed pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. and left-handed pitcher Colton Gordon, and cash considerations to the Milwaukee Brewers for outfielder prospect Jadyn Fielder.
Astros General Manager Dana Brown announced the move on Wednesday.
The 6-foot-1, 200-pound McCullers was a first-round pick of the Astros in the 2012 MLB Draft. He made his MLB debut in 2015 and was a key member of the 2017 and 2022 World Series teams, and was an American League All-Star in 2017.
McCullers’ career was marred by missing multiple seasons due to significant injuries.
He missed 2019 due to injury to Tommy John surgery, and all of the 2023 and 2024 seasons due to flexor tendon and bone spurs. McCullers struggled this season as he has a 6.86 ERA in 39 1/3 innings in eight starts. He has been on the IL since May 19th with right shoulder inflammation.
McCullers leaves Houston with a 53-40 overall record, 898 strikeouts and a career 3.85 ERA.
With McCullers being traded, there are now only two players left on the roster from the 2017 World Series championship team. That is second baseman Jose Altuve and third baseman Carlos Correa.
Gordon, meanwhile, has pitched most of the 2026 season in Sugar Land, going 6-3 with a 3.69 ERA in 70.2 innings pitched in 14 games. In parts of two seasons with the Astros, Gordon is 6-4 with a 5.95 ERA, 95.1 innings pitched in 24 games (15 starts).
Fielder, the son of six-time MLB All-Star Prince Fielder, is hitting .233 with 11 doubles, three homers, 23 RBI, an .813 OPS in 45 games at Class A Wilson in the Carolina League.
