The day before Athletics pitchers and catchers report for spring training, the team is adding another figure to the mix.
The A’s agreed to a one-year, $6 million free-agent contract with right-handed pitcher Aaron Civale, the New York Post’s Jon Heyman reported Tuesday, citing sources.
The A’s would be Civale’s sixth team in eight seasons and his fourth in the last two.
In 18 starts with three different teams in 2025, Civale posted a 4-9 record with a 4.85 ERA across 18 starts.
He began the 2025 MLB season with the Milwaukee Brewers and started five games before the team informed him that he would be moved to the bullpen in favor of rookie Jacob Misiorowski. Civale, wishing to remain a starter, requested a trade and was subsequently dealt to the Chicago White Sox.
After posting a 5.37 ERA in 13 starts with his new team, he was designated for assignment by the White Sox. The Chicago Cubs later claimed Civale off waivers in August, and he made the first five relief appearances of his career.
Although his last role was out of the bullpen, Civale figures to be placed in the middle of the A’s starting rotation next season.
Coach Mark Kotsay now has another veteran arm in his starting rotation, joining right-hander Luis Severino and left-hander Jeffrey Springs.
The A’s have a plethora of young arms that could fill out the final two spots in the rotation. Left-hander Jacob Lopez and right-hander Luis Morales had impressive showings last season and likely are to be the leading candidates.
But in 2025, Kotsay showed that he is open to mixing up his rotation or employing an opener strategy. And with Civale’s success for the Cubs as a relief pitcher, a starting rotation spot is not a certainty for the whole 2026 season.