Blue Jays add reliever Kuhnel to roster in trade with Astros

The Toronto Blue Jays have made a significant move by acquiring right-hander Joel Kuhnel from the Houston Astros in exchange for cash considerations. The announcement was made by the Blue Jays following their 6-3 road win over the Washington Nationals.

In a corresponding move, Kuhnel has been optioned to Triple-A Buffalo. The 29-year-old pitcher has appeared in one game for the Astros this season and nine contests for the Triple-A Sugar Land Space Cowboys. He has a combined record of 4-1 with a 5.40 earned-run average.

Standing at six-foot-five and weighing 290 pounds, Kuhnel was originally an 11th-round pick of the Cincinnati Reds in the 2016 first-year player draft. He made his MLB debut for the Reds in 2019 before moving on to the Astros.

Kuhnel has experience at both the major league and minor league levels, with a 6.30 ERA over 77 MLB appearances and a 3.66 ERA over 216 minor league contests. This trade represents an opportunity for Kuhnel to contribute to the Blue Jays’ pitching staff and make an impact on the team’s performance moving forward.

For more breaking news from Canada and around the world, stay updated by subscribing to our email alerts. This report by The Canadian Press was first published on May 4, 2024.