Brewers Activate Lance McCullers Jr. From Injured List, Send Jared Koenig Down

One somewhat surprising move led to another somewhat surprising move.

The Milwaukee Brewers on Friday activated right-handed starter Lance McCullers Jr., who was on the 15-day injured list at the time he was acquired Wednesday from the Houston Astros, and optioned veteran left-handed reliever Jared Koenig to Triple-A Nashville. McCullers had been on the IL since May 19 due to right shoulder inflammation. He had been due to make another rehab start Friday for the Astros' Double-A affiliate before the trade went down.

McCullers is not scheduled to start any of the three games this weekend at home against the Miami Marlins. It is possible that he goes in one of the three games against the New York Mets to begin next week. A bullpen role feels unlikely as McCullers has made just three relief appearances since the 2020 season, with all three coming last year. A few days before his first Brewers appearance allows pitching coach Chris Hook to do a little work with McCullers.

McCullers made eight starts this year before his IL stint, posting a 5.06 FIP (6.86 ERA) with a poor 12.8% walk rate and just-below-average 25% strikeout rate.

Koenig has appeared in six games since returning from the 15-day IL with a sprained left elbow. While his first two outings went as expected, with a scoreless inning each, the final four have not. Koenig has allowed seven runs in 2⅔ innings on seven hits and five walk with two strikeouts. Five of those runs and five of those hits came in his last appearance Sunday in a 14-5 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates in which he did not record an out.

Also, infielder-outfielder Greg Jones, who was designated for assignment Sunday and went unclaimed, was outrighted to Triple-A, but chose to become a free agent instead. Players can be outrighted once in their career before having the choice to become a free agent.