ARLINGTON, Texas – Aaron Civale joined the White Sox on Saturday, giving the right-hander a day to get to know his new teammates in Chicago before beginning to pitch for them, after being traded from the Milwaukee Brewers.
This time he had more time than last July, when he was traded from Tampa Bay to Milwaukee. His first day in the Brewers’ locker room coincided with his first start with the team.
“Yes, I have that experience. Last year I met the team on the day I launched, so I have to rely on that experience and then go in and do what I do best, and it will be a period of adaptation,” Civale commented. “Naturally, I have learned that firsthand and seen it, so I just have to do everything I can to adapt as quickly as possible. And from what I’ve heard and seen so far, there are a lot of good people here.”
Civale has been traded mid-season for the third consecutive year. He arrived in Milwaukee from Tampa Bay, who had acquired him from Cleveland in July 2023.
The last change occurred on Friday, a day after the Brewers announced on his 30th birthday that they were removing him from their rotation. The pitcher then said he wanted to remain a starter, even if that meant leaving Milwaukee, and that happened quickly.
Milwaukee sent Civale, who is eligible for free agency after this season, to the White Sox in exchange for first baseman Andrew Vaughn and $807,000 in cash.
Civale assured that he had no problems with anyone in the Brewers’ locker room or with the coaches there. He simply wanted to remain a starter, as he has been in the 122 regular season games during seven years in the Major Leagues, and in his 86 appearances in the minor leagues. His number 123 game in MLB will be an opening for the White Sox in the final series in Texas on Sunday.
“It’s a situation, like I said, I feel like I have a lot to give to this game as a starting pitcher, and I think that’s how I prepare for the game,” he said. “That’s how I prepare in the offseason, both physically and mentally. And I hope I can keep doing that and give this organization what I’ve always given.”
Civale is 1-2 with an ERA of 4.91 this season, earning $8 million. He has allowed seven runs in 19 innings in four starts since returning from the injured list on May 22 after dealing with a left hamstring strain. He is 40-37 with a 4.06 career ERA in the Major Leagues and was 7-5 with a 3.84 ERA in 19 starts for the Brewers.
After learning Friday morning that he had been traded again, Civale packed up his entire house in the Milwaukee area with his wife before taking a flight to join his new team in Texas.
“It’s definitely a younger team on the rise,” he said. “I played against this team many times during my time in Cleveland. So it’s exciting to have the opportunity to be here and see what I can do, and see how I can help.”
