The Chicago Cubs added veteran reinforcements for the stretch run.
The Cubs signed veteran first baseman Carlos Santana to a contract for the rest of the season, and claimed right-hander Aaron Civale off waivers from the Chicago White Sox, they announced.
The Cleveland Guardians released Santana on Thursday after his third stint with the club over a 16-year career.
The 39-year-old has gone deep 11 times with 52 RBIs and a substandard .650 OPS over 116 games this year. However, he was productive in 2024 with the Minnesota Twins, recording 23 homers, 71 RBIs, and a .749 OPS across 150 contests to go along with his first Gold Glove.
Santana will likely be a bench piece for the Cubs, with Michael Busch manning first. The former can also be used as a designated hitter.
Civale, meanwhile, owns a 5.26 ERA with 1.37 WHIP and 7.5 K/9 over a combined 89 innings (18 starts) between the White Sox and Milwaukee Brewers in 2025.
