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Giants' Joel Kuhnel: Earns save for third different team in 2026
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Kuhnel allowed one run on two hits over 1.1 innings, recording no walks or strikeouts while earning the save in Tuesday's 2-1 win over the Cardinals.
It's not often a pitcher has a chance to log a save for three different teams in the same year, but that's what Kuhnel has achieved in 2026. He's allowed one run over 2.2 innings across his three appearances for the Giants, allowing four hits and one walk in that span. Kuhnel is at a 4.74 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 23:13 K:BB through 38 innings between the Giants, Brewers and Athletics, adding seven saves, six holds and a blown save. Regular closer Dylan Smith struggled in a blown save Tuesday, but it's not yet clear if Kuhnel has worked his way into the high-leverage mix for the last three weeks of the Giants' campaign. Kuhnel is the 11th pitcher to earn a save for San Francisco this year.
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Giants' Joel Kuhnel: Scooped up off waivers by Giants
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The Giants claimed Kuhnel off waivers from the Brewers on Friday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
Kuhnel hasn't pitched in the big leagues since early July due to right rotator cuff tendinopathy, but he's healthy now after completing a rehab assignment. The 31-year-old has posted a 4.84 ERA and 22:12 K:BB over 35.1 innings in the majors this season and will give the Giants some experienced bullpen help.
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Brewers' Joel Kuhnel: Activated and DFA'd
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The Brewers activated Kuhnel (shoulder) from the 15-day injured list Wednesday and designated him for assignment, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports.
Kuhnel is recovered from the right rotator cuff tendinopathy that sent him to the IL in early July, but the Brewers have decided they don't have room for the reliever on their roster. The 31-year-old has authored a 4.84 ERA and 22:12 K:BB over 35.1 innings between the Athletics and Brewers in 2026.
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Brewers' Joel Kuhnel: Kicks off rehab assignment
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Kuhnel (shoulder) retired two of the five batters he faced and was charged with two earned runs on three hits and no walks in a rehab appearance Sunday for Triple-A Nashville.
Kuhnel fired 13 of his 17 pitches for strikes in the rehab outing, his first appearance at any level since July 2 following his placement on the 15-day injured list due to right rotator cuff tendinopathy. Though Kuhnel pounded the strike zone, batters were able to easily square up on him, as all three hits he allowed went for extra bases (one home run, two doubles). The right-hander will need to show improved results over his next few rehab appearances before rejoining the Milwaukee bullpen.
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Brewers' Joel Kuhnel: Throwing bullpen session
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Kuhnel (shoulder) is slated to throw a bullpen session Tuesday, Jack Stern of BrewerFanatic.com reports.
Kuhnel has missed the past two-plus weeks with right rotator cuff tendinopathy but is ready to test out the injury with some mound work. Though he's eligible for activation now, Kuhnel could require a rehab assignment before return to the active roster.
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Brewers' Joel Kuhnel: Heads to IL
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The Brewers placed Kuhnel on the 15-day injured list Saturday, retroactive to July 3, due to a right shoulder injury.
Kuhnel has been struggling of late, giving up five runs (four earned) over three innings across his past three appearances. It's not clear if the shoulder issue impacted his performance, but he's now going to be out through at least the All-Star break. The Brewers recalled Craig Yoho from Triple-A Nashville in a corresponding move to fill Kuhnel's spot in the bullpen.
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Brewers' Joel Kuhnel: Escapes with sixth save
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Kuhnel earned the save in Wednesday's 6-5 win against the Reds, allowing one hit and two walks with no strikeouts over 1.1 scoreless innings.
With Trevor Megill and Abner Uribe both unavailable, Kuhnel was called upon to thwart a late comeback by the Reds. He recorded the final out of the eighth inning before escaping a bases-loaded jam in the ninth with a game-ending double play. The 31-year-old has now gone 2-for-3 in save chances for Milwaukee, though he's yielded runs in four of seven appearances with the club. For the year, he's collected six saves and five holds to go along with a 4.18 ERA, 1.39 WHIP and 20:10 K:BB across 32.1 innings between the Athletics and Brewers.
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Brewers' Joel Kuhnel: Logs first save as Brewer
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Kuhnel earned a save against the Reds on Monday, allowing an unearned run on one hit over a scoreless inning of work.
Kuhnel had been struggling a bit since being dealt to the Brewers on June 6, as he gave up three runs on three solo homers over his first 4.1 innings of work. Nonetheless, manager Pat Murphy turned to the right-hander in the bottom of the 10th inning Monday after Milwaukee scored two runs in the top of the frame. Kuhnel came through, allowing the automatic runner on second base to score but managing to slam the door for the save. Primary closer Trevor Megill tossed a scoreless ninth inning and earned the win, and he should get the bulk of the team's save chances moving forward, so there's no need for fantasy managers to rush to the waiver wire for Kuhnel.
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.
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Athletics' Joel Kuhnel: DFA'd following blowup game
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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.
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Athletics' Joel Kuhnel: Tallies first win
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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
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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.
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Athletics' Joel Kuhnel: Nails down second save
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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.
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Athletics' Joel Kuhnel: Secures save Wednesday
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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.
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Athletics' Joel Kuhnel: Officially called up
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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.
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Athletics' Joel Kuhnel: Promotion on tap
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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.
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