Aaron Civale appeared in five games for the Cubs out of the bullpen last season after being acquired midseason. Geoff Stellfox / Getty ImagesJuly 18, 2026 Updated 6:39 pm EDTCHICAGO — With a pitching staff that has been stretched thin for months, the Chicago Cubs acquired Aaron Civale and cash considerations from the Athletics in Saturday’s trade for additional depth.To get Civale, who was recently designated for assignment, the Cubs gave up minor-league reliever Aiden Moffett. An undrafted free agent last year, Moffett, 22, has spent parts of this season at Class-A Myrtle Beach and in the Arizona Complex League.The Cubs claimed Civale off waivers from the Chicago White Sox last August, near the end of a winding season. Civale had earlier requested a trade from the Milwaukee Brewers when Jacob Misiorowski bumped him from their rotation.A case for the Cubs to pursue Tarik SkubalEno Sarris and Derek VanRiperIn a move that directly impacted the National League Central race, Civale was moved to the White Sox for Andrew Vaughn, who posted an .868 OPS for a Brewers team that won the division and knocked the Cubs out of the playoffs.Civale went on to sign a one-year, $6 million contract with the Athletics, posting a 5-7 record with a 5.42 ERA over 16 appearances (15 starts) before getting designated for assignment.Civale, 31, overlapped with Cubs manager Craig Counsell when they both worked in Milwaukee. With 12 pitchers on the injured list, the Cubs need help covering innings and anticipate more issues as they try to get back to October.