A’s add a veteran pitcher who could be in line for rotation job
The Athletics are signing a veteran they hope will bolster a pitching staff toward a playoff run in 2026.
The team has agreed to terms with right-hander Aaron Civale on a one-year, $6 million contract with $1.5 million in incentives, as first reported by from ESPN. The team on Tuesday afternoon announced it signed Civale as well as Scott Barlow, another pitcher. The A’s designated right-handed pitchers Grant Holman and Mitch Spence for assignment to make spsace for Civale and Barlow.
Civale is likely going to compete for a job at the back end of the A’s rotation behind Luis Severino, Jeffrey Springs, Luis Morales and Jacob Lopez. Others in the mix: J.T. Ginn, Gunner Hoglund and Mason Barnett.
The A’s will be playing the second of their planned three seasons in West Sacramento’s Sutter Health Park this season. The team is aiming to make a playoff run after missing the postseason five straight seasons, with their last appearance coming in 2020.
The A’s had the fourth-worst team ERA in MLB last season at 4.70. Their starting pitchers had the fifth-fewest wins above average, minus-2.6, according to Baseball Reference.
Civale, 30, has started in 134 of his 140 appearances over the past seven seasons. His first five games ever coming out of the bullpen came after he was claimed off waivers by the Chicago Cubs last September following stints with the White Sox and Milwaukee Brewers. He had a 2.08 ERA while allowing seven hits in 13 innings as a reliever.
Civale for his career is 43-44 with a 4.14 ERA. His best season came in 2023 with Cleveland and Tampa Bay, when he went 7-5 with a 3.46 ERA in 23 starts allowing 109 hits in 122.1 innings. He was traded from Cleveland at the trade deadline for designed hitter and first baseman Kyle Manzardo to help the Rays make a postseason run.
Civale last season fell out of Milwaukee’s starting rotation after allowing a 4.91 ERA in five starts and later requesting a trade after the demotion to the bullpen. The White Sox sent the Brewers first baseman and corner outfielder Andrew Vaughn to the Brewers for Civale and cash.
This story was originally published February 10, 2026 at 2:45 PM.
