Joel Kuhnel Fantasy Stats

Athletics reliever Joel Kuhnel picked up his first save of 2026 on Wednesday, pitching a scoreless ninth inning with a strikeout in his team's 3-2 win over the New York Yankees. The 31-year-old was just recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday, but he's already made two high-leverage appearances for the A's. Kuhnel spent the entire 2025 season at Triple-A, bouncing from the Philadelphia Phillies organization to the Yankees'. While Kuhnel's save on Wednesday was just the second of his MLB career, he picked up seven minor league saves in 2025. The Athletics do not have an obvious ninth-inning option currently on their roster, with Mark Leiter Jr., Hogan Harris, and Justin Sterner profiling as Kuhnel's stiffest competition for the closer role. For deep-league managers in need of saves, Kuhnel could be a player to monitor on the waiver wire.

The Philadelphia Phillies have signed free-agent right-hander Joel Kuhnel to a minor-league deal. Kuhnel will join the Phillies after allowing five earned runs on eight hits (one homer) while walking none and striking out five in only 10 relief innings with the Houston Astros and Tampa Bay Rays in 2024. The 29-year-old reliever was originally drafted in the 11th round in 2016 by the Cincinnati Reds out of the University of Texas at Arlington. He made his big-league debut in 2019 with the Reds and has posted a 5.86 ERA (4.46 FIP), a 1.36 WHIP, one save and a 76:24 K:BB in 93 2/3 innings over 82 relief appearances in his five seasons in the majors. Kuhnel will bring experienced relief depth to the Phils after pitching at four different Triple-A levels in 2024 with the Rays, Astros, Toronto Blue Jays and Milwaukee Brewers.

Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel has been designated for assignment, according to Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. In a corresponding move, the Brewers promoted right-handed pitcher Joel Kuhnel from Triple-A Nashville. Keuchel posted a poor 5.40 ERA, 1.86 WHIP, and an 8:11 BB:K ratio across his four starts as a Brewer. Kuhnel has operated exclusively out of the bullpen in his minor league career and posted a 2.30 ERA and 1.28 WHIP in Triple-A Nashville earlier this season. Fantasy managers should pay close attention to the Milwaukee rotation after the mid-summer classic, as there is currently an open spot. Joe Ross (back) and Bryse Wilson are candidates to claim the open rotation spot and could be worth a look in deeper leagues.