The Cubs have added powerful hitter Carlos Santana and claimed right-handed pitcher Aaron Civale off waivers.

When September arrives, teams have the option to bolster their lineup by adding two players. Cubs manager Craig Counsell noted that the restricted roster spots require a team to concentrate on specific areas that need strengthening.

"You can't solve every problem," Counsell stated. "So it’s somewhat like, ‘Where are your chances to enhance and add security?’"

On the eve of the MLB roster expansion, the Cubs are addressing two aspects of their lineup. Multiple sources told MLB.com that before Chicago’s 5-6 loss to the Rockies, the Cubs were finalizing a major league contract with veteran first baseman Carlos Santana. The team also announced they claimed right-hander Aaron Civale off waivers from the White Sox. The Cubs have yet to confirm the Santana deal.

The timing of these additions will make Santana and Civale eligible for the postseason roster. Currently, the Cubs trail the NL Central-leading Brewers by 6.5 games but hold the top wild card spot. Players must be on the team roster by 11 a.m. Central Time on September 1 to qualify for the postseason roster.

Santana—who was released by the Guardians on Friday and went unclaimed on waivers—has some history with the Cubs’ current front office. He began his MLB career with Cleveland, where Cubs general manager Carter Hawkins was part of the front office, and Hawkins also worked under Counsell with the Brewers in 2023.

The Cubs have established starters at first base (Michael Bush) and designated hitter (Seiya Suzuki), but 39-year-old Santana could join veteran Justin Turner as a depth option and matchup-based substitute. Although Santana struggled against left-handed pitching in 2025 (0.681 OPS), he posted a 0.934 OPS against lefties in 2024 with the Twins and has a career OPS of 0.819 versus left-handers.

Santana will also bring strong defense, having won a Gold Glove at first base last season, and his above-average outfield putouts rank in the 95th percentile league-wide this year. At the plate, he consistently shows a keen eye (career .352 on-base percentage and 1,330 career walks) while providing power (335 career home runs).

During his 16-year career, Santana has played for seven different teams, compiling a .778 OPS and an OPS+ of 112. He spent 11 seasons in Cleveland, including 2016 when he appeared in all seven games of the World Series against the Cubs. This year, before being placed on waivers by Cleveland, he played 116 games with a slash line of .225/.316/.333, hitting 11 home runs with 52 RBIs and 52 walks.

Thirty-year-old Civale has accumulated a 4.18 ERA over his seven-year career, making 135 starts with the Guardians, Rays, Brewers, and White Sox. This year, he started 18 games between Milwaukee and Chicago, posting a 5.26 ERA with 74 strikeouts and 33 walks over 89 innings pitched.

The Cubs’ current starting rotation includes Shota Imanaga, Matthew Boyd, Cade Horton, Colin Rea, and Javier Assad, while Jameson Taillon and Michael Soroka are recovering from injuries. Ben Brown is also an option but has been in the bullpen since July 27. Civale has never pitched as a reliever, but Counsell said that’s the plan for the right-hander joining the team.

“This move addresses our innings workload and ensures we have enough pitching innings,” Counsell said about adding Civale. “Aaron will pitch out of the bullpen. This is simply to give us a long-inning option when needed and, as a contingency, to have a pitcher who can start if we require it.”