New Delhi, July 15 -- The Houston Astros are closing in on a trade that would send right-hander Lance McCullers Jr to the Milwaukee Brewers. Notably, the teams are working through the final details of the agreement. At 32 years old, McCullers has spent his entire major league career with Houston after the club selected him in the first round of the 2012 draft. He is widely regarded as the longest-tenured pitcher still on the Astros roster.

The Brewers currently sit atop the National League Central with a five-game lead over the Chicago Cubs. Houston finds itself in third place in the American League West, three games behind the Texas Rangers. The timing of the move comes as both clubs assess their roster needs in the middle of the season...