Houston Astros Complete Trade With Reds for Relief Pitcher

The Houston Astros have completed a trade with the Cincinnati Reds for a right-handed relief pitcher.

Kade Kistner | Jun 17, 2023

Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

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The Houston Astros have just completed a trade with the Cincinnati Reds for pitching depth on Saturday evening the team announced.

The move saw the Reds send the Astros right-handed reliever Joel Kuhnel in exchange for cash considerations.

Kuhnel made his MLB debut for the Reds in 2019. He holds a career ERA of 6.20 over 74.0 innings.

During the 2023 season, Kuhnel has thrown just 3.1 innings and has allowed three earned runs.

Kuhnel was immediately optioned to Triple-A Sugar Land while Lance McCullers Jr. was placed on the 60day injured list after successfully undergoing surgery.

The move was nothing more than a transaction to add pitching depth to a thin pitching staff. Kuhnel has logged Major League innings and could be used in the future if needed.

Houston's next matchup is against the Reds on Sunday at 1:10 p.m. CT, the same team they just acquired Kuhnel from.

They will try and rebound from a 10-3 defeat on Saturday.

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Published Jun 17, 2023

KADE KISTNER

Kade Kistner is the publisher and beat writer for Sports Illustrated's Inside the Phillies. An alumnus of Tulane University, Kade graduated in 2017 with a degree in Latin American Studies and a minor in Spanish. Upon graduation, Kade commissioned into the United States Navy and attended Naval Flight School in Pensacola, Fl. He served as a Naval Aviator and was stationed in Jacksonville, Fl. During his time in school and the Navy, Kade began covering the MLB and NFL with USA Today, SB Nation, and Sports Illustrated. Kade covered the New Orleans Saints, Texas Rangers, and numerous other teams within the Sports Illustrated network before launching Inside the Phillies, Inside the Astros, and Inside the Cubs. You can follow him on Twitter at @KadeKistner, or if you have any questions or comments he can be reached via email at kwkistner@gmail.com.