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Milwaukee Brewers: 2nd Former Player Joins Chicago Cubs After Being Waived by White Sox

Originally posted on WI Sports Heroics | By Robin M Adams | Last updated Aug 31, 2025 4:48 PM ET

The Milwaukee Brewers are currently losing to the Toronto Blue Jays, but have already won the series by taking the first two games of the series. Entering play on Sunday, Milwaukee had a record of 85-52, the best record in all Major League Baseball by 5.5 games.

Indeed, the Brewers’ rise to the top of MLB has been nothing short of a storybook tale. A group of players without a big-name aside from 2018 NL MVP Christian Yelich and the ascending Jackson Chourio. Jacob Misiorowski took the league by storm for a month, but has since come back down to earth as he eclipsed his previous career-high in innings pitched.

Going into the season, and after they started 0-4, many gave up on Milwaukee being able to be true contenders in 2025. But a series of events and surprising heroics from unexpected players have put the Brewers in the position to do something special.

The Milwaukee Brewers Previously Traded Aaron Civale to the Chicago White Sox for Andrew Vaughn

Milwaukee Brewers: Andrew Vaughn Shatters Franchise Record in 9-3 Win Over Cubs 1 Jul 29, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Andrew Vaughn (28) rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the Chicago Cubs in the sixth inning at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Michael McLoone-Imagn Images

One of the biggest moves that Milwaukee made during the season was trading starting pitcher Aaron Civale to the Chicago White Sox for struggling first baseman Andrew Vaughn. Civale, who had been on the injured list early in the year, was told he was going to be moved to the bullpen to make room for Misiorowski.

As he has been a starter for his entire career, and will be a free agent at the end of the season, Civale requested a trade away from Milwaukee so that he could continue to do what he had been doing. And the Brewers, to their credit, agreed.

It was a trade that proved to be a godsend for the team. After Rhys Hoskins sprained his wrist, Vaughn was called up to Milwaukee and took the city by storm.

Prior to the trade, Vaughn had hit .189/.218/.314 with five home runs and 19 RBI in 48 games for the White Sox. After being called up to Milwaukee, he has hit .292/.361/.497 with nine home runs and 40 RBI in 40 games.

Former Milwaukee Brewers Pitcher Aaron Civale Has Signed with the Chicago Cubs

Milwaukee Brewers: Fans Torch Aaron Civale as Andrew Vaughn Puts Up Stellar Numbers, Each through 5 Games with New Team 1 Jun 21, 2025; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Aaron Civale (43) pitches to the Toronto Blue Jays during the second inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

While Vaughn has thrived in his new home, Civale has not. In 13 starts with the White Sox, he was 2-7 with a 5.37 ERA. Prior to the trade, Civale was 1-2 with a 4.91 ERA in Milwaukee.

Earlier this past week, the former Brewers pitcher was waived by Chicago, but has since been picked up by the Cubs:

Today’s roster moves presented by @NuveenInv: pic.twitter.com/kX9dnsU9M2

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) August 31, 2025

This is, of course, significant because Chicago is currently chasing Milwaukee in the National League Central Division standings. He will join former Brewers manager Craig Counsell, starting pitchers Colin Rea and Drew Pomeranz, and first baseman Carlos Santana.

This article first appeared on WI Sports Heroics and was syndicated with permission.

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