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Pat Murphy Explains Emotional Decision to Designate Lance McCullers Jr. for Assignment
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- Pat Murphy Explains Emotional Decision to Designate Lance McCullers Jr. for Assignment
Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy admitted designating veteran right-hander Lance McCullers Jr . for assignment was far from easy, calling it a "tough, tough, tough conversation" after Sunday's roster move.
Murphy addressed the emotional side of the decision after Milwaukee cleared a roster spot by designating McCullers for assignment. The move came despite the veteran's experience as the Brewers continue prioritizing younger pitching options with the trade deadline approaching.
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According to Hunter Baumgardt of Fox Sports Radio Wisconsin, Murphy spoke candidly about informing McCullers of the decision, emphasizing the human element behind a transaction made to strengthen Milwaukee's roster. The Brewers entered the week with a 66-39 record, comfortably leading the National League Central by 7 games over the Chicago Cubs .
McCullers appeared in 14 games, including four starts, for Milwaukee this season. He posted a 2-3 record with a 5.14 ERA, 1.48 WHIP and 33 strikeouts across 35 innings after joining the organization on a low-risk deal while attempting to revive his career following multiple injury-plagued seasons.
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The Brewers have increasingly leaned on their young pitching talent, led by rookie sensation Jacob Misiorowski . The 24-year-old improved to 11-4 with a dominant outing Sunday against the Colorado Rockies , striking out 12 batters over five one-hit innings while opening the game with a franchise-record seven consecutive strikeouts.
Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy (21)Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Murphy's comments reflected the difficulty of moving on from a respected veteran, but Milwaukee's position atop the division has forced the club to make difficult roster decisions in pursuit of another postseason run.
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The transaction also creates additional roster flexibility as the Brewers evaluate potential additions before the trade deadline. With one of baseball's best records, Milwaukee appears focused on maximizing every roster spot for the stretch run.
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This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jul 27, 2026, where it first appeared in the MLB section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
