Chicago Cubs add 2 more veteran
players in 1B Carlos Santana and RHP Aaron Civale
[September 02, 2025]
By JAY COHEN
CHICAGO (AP) — Carlos Santana was contacted by a couple teams after
he was released by Cleveland last week. Once he heard from Chicago
Cubs manager Craig Counsell, he knew what he wanted to do.
“The day before I come here, he called me and said ‘Hey, I need you
here,’” Santana said. “I say ‘Oh, yes,’ I don't think twice.”
Santana joined Chicago on Monday after signing a one-year contract.
The Cubs also added Aaron Civale to their roster one day after they
claimed the veteran right-hander off waivers from the White Sox.
Civale jumped right in, pitching three scoreless innings in a wild
7-6 victory over Atlanta. He allowed one hit and struck out four in
his first relief appearance in 136 career regular-season games.
“It was great to get out there and compete, keep the game close,”
Civale said.
Santana struck out as a pinch hitter in the ninth and finished the
game at first base.
Chicago also recalled outfielder Kevin Alcántara from Triple-A Iowa,
and outfielder Owen Caissie was sent down. With Pete Crow-Armstrong
slumping at the plate, Alcántara could be used in center field
against left-handed pitching.
The Cubs improved to 79-59 with the win against the Braves. They are
on top of the NL wild-card standings and trail NL Central-leading
Milwaukee by 5 1/2 games.
Santana signed with Chicago in time to be eligible for the team's
playoff roster. The MLB deadline used to be midnight ET at end of
Aug. 31, but it was changed in the offseason to noon ET on Sept. 1.
Active major league rosters also expanded from 26 to 28 players on
Monday.
“We just think adding kind of some veteran players to strengthen,
fortify, offer some insurance to the roster is really what we're
looking for,” Counsell said before Chicago's victory in the opener
of a six-game homestand. “Not anticipating, frankly, big roles, but
should things happen, then their roles could expand.”
The 39-year-old Santana was let go by the Guardians on Thursday,
ending his third stint with the franchise.
Chicago has Michael Busch at first base, and Seiya Suzuki is the
team’s primary designated hitter. But the addition of Santana puts
an experienced switch hitter on Counsell’s bench.
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Santana batted .225 with 11 homers and 52 RBIs in
116 games with the Guardians after signing a $12 million, one-year
contract in December. The former Silver Slugger and Gold Glove
winner is the majors’ active leader with 1,330 career walks.
Santana played for Counsell at the end of the 2023 season, after he
was traded from Pittsburgh to Milwaukee.
“I come to here for hope, for making championship,”
Santana said. “Before I retire, I want to make a champion. ... I'm
open for any situation that (Counsell) needs me.”
Santana has appeared in 30 playoff games, batting .205 with five
homers and 13 RBIs. He made it to the 2016 World Series with
Cleveland, losing to the Cubs in seven games.
“I think he's at a stage of his career where he's interested in one
thing, just being a part of fun, being a part of winning,” Counsell
said. “And he's earned a great reputation in the game, and it's
always good adding people like that.”
Civale is 3-9 with a 5.09 ERA in 19 games this year. He was traded
from the Brewers to the White Sox for first baseman Andrew Vaughn on
June 13.
The Cubs plan to use Civale in a bulk role out of the bullpen,
keeping him stretched out in case he is needed in the rotation at
some point.
“Not a lot of pitching went on the waiver wire in August,” president
of baseball operations Jed Hoyer said. “But Civale is a guy that we
had talked about at the (trade) deadline also. He was having a solid
year as a starter there and pitching well.”
The 30-year-old Civale is 42-44 with a 4.18 ERA in 135 career
starts, also playing for Cleveland and Tampa Bay. He was moved to
the bullpen by the Brewers, but he said he wanted to continue to
start — leading to the trade to the last-place White Sox.
“It's a good opportunity,” Civale said of joining the Cubs. “Just
doing my best to take advantage of it and trying to come in here and
help the team.”
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