This page may contain affiliate links. If you click and sign up, make a deposit, or place a wager, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you.
The Athletics traded Kuhnel to Milwaukee in exchange for cash considerations on Saturday.
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 took the loss after blowing a three-run lead in the bottom of the ninth. On the season, the right-hander has recorded a 4.21 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 14:6 K:BB in 25.2 innings.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Joel Kuhnel: DFA'd following blowup game
Rotowire
The Athletics designated Kuhnel for assignment Friday.
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.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Joel Kuhnel: Tallies first win
Rotowire
Kuhnel (1-1) earned the win in Thursday's 3-2 victory over the Angels. He allowed a hit and a walk with no strikeouts over a scoreless inning.
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 an extra inning, before the Athletics pushed across the winning run in the 10th. The right-hander has been solid this season and has put himself in the high-leverage mix, though he hasn't been given a save situation since April 20. Overall, Kuhnel owns a 2.41 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 10:5 K:BB with four saves and three holds across 18.2 innings.
Athletics' Joel Kuhnel: Registers fourth save Monday
Rotowire
Kuhnel picked up a save against the Mariners on Monday, allowing one run on two hits over one inning.
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.
Kuhnel struck out two over 1.1 perfect innings to earn the save in Wednesday's 6-5 win over the Rangers.
The right-hander 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. There has been a stark difference in their performances: Kuhnel has tossed 4.2 scoreless innings so far, while Leiter has a 9.00 ERA through eight frames. The 31-year-old 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.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Joel Kuhnel: Nails down second save
Rotowire
Kuhnel picked up the save Sunday against the Mets, throwing a clean ninth inning.
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.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Joel Kuhnel: Secures save Wednesday
Rotowire
Kuhnel struck out one in a perfect inning to earn the save in Wednesday's 3-2 win over the Yankees.
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 Wednesday 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.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Joel Kuhnel: Officially called up
Rotowire
The Athletics selected Kuhnel's contract from Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday.
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 and gave up five earned runs with a 5:0 K:BB over 10 innings.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Joel Kuhnel: Promotion on tap
Rotowire
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.
Kuhnel's promotion to the big leagues will be the corresponding move after the Athletics optioned 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.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Joel Kuhnel: Nabs MiLB deal from Athletics
Rotowire
The Athletics signed Kuhnel to a minor-league contract Tuesday.
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.
... See More... See Less
Yankees' Joel Kuhnel: Signs with Pinstripes
Rotowire
Kuhnel signed a minor-league contract with the Yankees on Friday.
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.
... See More... See Less
Phillies' Joel Kuhnel: Inks minors deal with Philadelphia
Rotowire
The Phillies signed Kuhnel to a minor-league contract on Dec. 21, Steve Potter of PhilliesBaseballFan.com reports.
Kuhnel, who turns 30 in February, has collected a career 5.86 ERA and 76:24 K:BB over 93.2 innings covering parts of five seasons at the major-league level. The big righty will give the Phillies some experienced relief depth.
... See More... See Less
Joel Kuhnel: Becomes free agent
Rotowire
Kuhnel elected free agency Monday.
He cleared waivers after being scrubbed from the Rays' 40-man roster but will test out free agency rather than accepting an outright assignment. Kuhnel holds a career 5.86 ERA and 76:24 K:BB over 93.2 innings covering parts of five seasons at the big-league level.
... See More... See Less
Rays' Joel Kuhnel: Returns to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Rays optioned Kuhnel to Triple-A Durham on Sunday.
The right-hander was called up by Tampa Bay on Monday and will return to Triple-A after he allowed a run over four frames during his time in the majors. Kuhnel has made six appearances in the big leagues between the Rays and Astros this season, and he has a 4.50 ERA, 0.80 WHIP and 1:5 K:BB across 10 innings.
... See More... See Less
Rays' Joel Kuhnel: Back up from Triple-A
Rotowire
The Rays recalled Kuhnel from Triple-A Durham on Monday, Tricia Whitaker of Bally Sports Sun reports.
Kuhnel has four scoreless relief innings under his belt with the Rays this season and has also spent time in the majors this year with the Brewers and Astros, although he didn't make an appearance for Milwaukee. He'll pitch in low-leverage situations.
... See More... See Less
Rays' Joel Kuhnel: Heads to Triple-A
Rotowire
The Rays optioned Kuhnel to Triple-A Durham on Wednesday.
Kuhnel tossed two scoreless innings out of the bullpen in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Cardinals and was unlikely to be available for another day or two, so he was an easy choice for the Rays to move off the active roster to clear room for right-hander Drew Rasmussen (elbow), who was reinstated from the 60-day injured list in a corresponding move. The 29-year-old right-hander will head back to Durham after making a pair of two-inning appearances in relief following his July 30 promotion.
... See More... See Less
Rays' Joel Kuhnel: Recalled after deadline
Rotowire
The Rays recalled Kuhnel from Triple-A Durham on Tuesday.
Kuhnel was claimed by the Rays off waivers from the Brewers on July 23. The 29-year-old made two appearances for Durham, allowing three runs across two innings. The right-hander finds himself in the bigs as a replacement for Shawn Armstrong, who was acquired by the Cardinals from the Rays before Tuesday's trade deadline.
