The Chicago Cubs added pitching depth Saturday by claiming right-hander Julian Aguiar off waivers, a move that arrived while the club was in the middle of a series against the Boston Red Sox.
C. Trent Rosecrans of The Athletic reported the transaction.
“RHP Julian Aguiar was claimed by the Cubs on waivers,” he wrote.
Aguiar, 25, gives Chicago another arm as it prepares for the postseason and looks ahead to next year. The Cubs already have a full 40-man roster, so a corresponding move will follow.
The former Cincinnati Reds prospect was selected in the 12th round of the 2021 draft. He reached the majors in 2024 and made seven starts that year.
Over eight career big-league games, seven of them starts, Aguiar is 3-1 with a 6.23 ERA. An elbow sprain late in 2024 led to Tommy John surgery, and he missed the entire 2025 season while recovering.
His 2026 campaign has been stop-and-start. He logged 58 innings in the minors this year before a brief return to the majors last week.
@CBoxSports noted the background after the claim. “Julian Aguiar has been claimed by the Chicago Cubs. A former top-15 prospect for the Reds, Aguiar allowed 40 runs in 58 innings in the minor leagues this season.”
Aguiar faced the Cubs on Sept. 18 and allowed two earned runs in three innings of relief in a Reds win. Cincinnati optioned him back to Triple-A the next day.
The claim is not expected to affect Chicago’s playoff roster. Aguiar is not eligible for the postseason, so the move appears aimed at adding depth for 2027 and possibly providing innings in the regular-season finale.
The Cubs sit at 88-73 after 161 games and hold second place in the National League Central. They have already clinched a playoff berth. They are 4-6 in their last 10 games and 42-38 on the road.
Saturday was an off day after two games Friday at Fenway Park. The series finale was moved because of weather.
The Red Sox announced the change on social media.
“MLB announced today that the #RedSox series finale against the Cubs will be relocated to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, FL. Originally set for 7:15 p.m. on September 26 at Fenway Park, the new game is scheduled for 3:05 p.m. on September 27 at the home of the Rays.”
Boston is also in the playoffs at 87-74. Both clubs are jockeying for positioning heading into the final day of the regular season.
Cubs Zone outlined one possible path for home-field advantage in the Wild Card round. “If the Padres lose today & tomorrow, and the Cubs win tomorrow they will host the Wild Card series at Wrigley.”
Aguiar has started 87 of his 101 professional games. That background could make him a candidate for Triple-A rotation work or long relief if he sticks in the organization.
Chicago has spent much of the year adding pitching. The late-season waiver claim is a low-cost way to keep another young arm in the system after injuries and innings limits have stretched the staff.
Whether Aguiar appears Sunday at Tropicana Field remains to be seen. The Cubs may prefer to rest regulars before the playoffs begin.
The transaction is the latest roster tweak as the regular season winds down. Chicago will finish its schedule against Boston in Florida before turning fully to October baseball.
