Veteran starter Chad Kuhl has been a free agent since he was released by the Nationals on June 26. It seems he’ll remain on the open market for the remainder of the season.
Kuhl took to Instagram this afternoon to explain he has declined contract offers since his release so he can remain with his wife Amanda while she continues a battle with breast cancer. After thanking the Nationals and their fans, the right-hander wrote:
“While I’ve received offers to continue to play this season, I have made the choice for my family to stay in (the) D.C. area for the time being and have Amanda continue to get the best care possible. I’ve decided to be with her through the course of chemo and radiation.
This is just a pause for me and my family. My desire to play and love for the game has never been stronger and I’m looking forward to the next time I step on a major league mound whenever that may be.”
Kuhl made 16 appearances for Washington this season, posting an 8.45 ERA over 38 1/3 innings. He’s pitched in seven of the past eight big league campaigns and owns a career 4.98 ERA through 816 frames. He’ll turn 31 in September and figures to find renewed minor league interest once he’s in a position to continue his playing career.
Amanda Kuhl announced on Twitter that her last round of chemotherapy is scheduled for the second week of September. MLBTR sends our best wishes to her and the rest of the Kuhl family.
Kudos to Chad Kuhl for this. He understands his wife and family come first and that they sacrificed much as he pursued his craft. Its not often athletes would forego life changing money for life changing events. I wish his wife well and hope she recovers for her family
He already has 7 big league seasons under his belt. He has already banked life changing money even if its at the league minimum. I think he deserves the biggest pat on the back for staying at his wife’s side for what would be his age 30 campaign which has historically been the peak prime year for athletes.
In a perfect world, Kuhl comes back “home” to Pittsburgh to spot start on a dreadful staff and pitching coach Marin finally turns him around.
Shame. The guy throws hard but can’t get out of his own way…one good start for every five. Hope he finds success. And prayers for his wife
Nice tangent about his pitching, but it’s absolutely irrelevant to the actual topic at hand.
Yup. You’re right. Apologies.
Chad Cool
Best wishes for the Kuhl family.
Prayers for the Kuhl family. Chad obviously sees what’s important right in front of his eyes. Much respect for him.
Good man! Hope the cancer is cured!
Prayers for Strength for Chad and prayers for healing for his wife. Cancer sucks no matter the form. Changes the lives of the entire family. I lost my wife to a rare form of cancer a few years back. Thank goodness our kids were grown and could understand what was going on. I read the article about Scott Rolen and his friendship with a young cancer patient back when he was playing. The kid was asked about his cancer diagnosis shortly after he found he had it. He said that it was his new life. Brought back memories of when my wife was diagnosed and the prognosis was that we will see how long we can give you a quality life as opposed to try and cure you. My wife and I both said that this was now the new normal and took things a day at a time. Baseball is hard enough when all is well. I know how hard it was trying to concentrate at my office. Could not imagine how that would affect him trying to pitch. Godspeed Kuhl Family!
Prayers to the Kuhl Family, I know what it’s like to have a loved one battle Breast Cancer with My Aunt battling it for around 30 yrs before losing her battle & My Grandmother was in her 90’s when she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer & she beat the Cancer & My Mother was almost 70 when she was diagnosed with Breast Cancer & she beat it. Keep fighting Amanda Kuhl you can defeat the Cancer & for you Chad you show what a real Husband should be by choosing to stay with your Wife
Hoping for the best for Chad Kuhl and Amanda. Positive thoughts and a fighting spirit are big pluses in beating it.
Cancer sucks. It raised its ugly head in my family too. Enough said about that.
Kudos to Kuhl.
Damn i thought for a second this was the Colorado P who had testicular cancer. I was going to say that’s absolutely terrible luck. But that was Chad Bettis.
I hope that things work out for Chad and his family
Best wishes to your wife Chad. Hang in there
Chad Kuhl is an awesome husband. I hope Amanda Kuhl has a speedy recovery.
Albert Pujols would have divorced her and then been celebrated as an humanitarian.
As you are celebrated for most tone deaf, poorly timed joke of the year? 😛
Love over money. Always beautiful to see. Wishing them the best.
Best wishes to the Kuhls. I hope Amanda’s treatment goes well and Chad gets another shot next year.