Santana agreed to a one-year deal with the Cubs on Sunday, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports.

EDGE Analysis

Santana won't join the Cubs ahead of Sunday's game in Colorado, but he's expected to be activated prior to Monday's home game versus Atlanta. The 39-year-old switch hitter was cut loose by the Guardians on Thursday after he had produced a career-worst .649 OPS with 11 home runs and seven stolen bases across 455 plate appearances. The Cubs won't have regular playing time available for Santana, but he could prove to be an upgrade over Justin Turner (.598 OPS in 166 plate appearances) as the short-side platoon mate at first base for the left-handed-hitting Michael Busch.

The Guardians released Santana on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Santana went unclaimed after being placed on outright waivers Tuesday. His playing time has dwindled over the past few weeks, and he owns a career-low .649 OPS through 455 plate appearances, so the Guardians will now eat the $2 million still remaining on Santana's contract and part ways with the veteran first baseman. He's now free to sign with whichever team he would like, though his age and declining production may limit the amount of interest he receives in the open market.

The Guardians have placed Santana on outright waivers, Zack Meisel and Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic report.

EDGE Analysis

Santana has started just 10 of 21 games since the Guardians called up C.J. Kayfus, and the club might now be ready to completely sever ties with the veteran first baseman. The 39-year-old is slashing just .225/.316/.333 in 2025 and is owed a bit more than $2 million for the remainder of the season, so it seems likely he'll clear waivers. The Guardians could keep Santana if that happens, but it's likelier at this point that they move on.

Santana is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against Atlanta.

EDGE Analysis

Santana went 1-for-5 with a pair of walks while starting the first two contests of the series, but he'll retreat to the bench for the series finale. The 39-year-old looks to be fading into a part-time role, as he's now been out of the lineup five times in the Guardians' last eight games.

Santana is absent from the lineup for Wednesday's contest versus the Marlins.

EDGE Analysis

It's the third time in the last four games Santana has been out of the lineup and the sixth time across the last 10 tilts versus right-handed pitching that the 39-year-old has sat out. C.J. Kayfus is handling first base for the Guardians on Wednesday.

Santana is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

Jose Ramirez is getting a partial day off as the designated hitter, leaving no room in the starting nine for Santana. The switch-hitting Santana should still be locked into an everyday role against left-handed pitching, but he could have to settle for a part-time role versus righties if the Guardians remain committed to opening up playing time for younger bats.

Santana is not in the Guardians' starting lineup against the White Sox on Saturday.

EDGE Analysis

Santana will begin Saturday's game in the dugout despite logging four RBI during Friday's win. He has performed well at the plate over his last 10 games, going 10-for-33 (.303) with two doubles and seven RBI over that span. C.J. Kayfus will start at first base and bat seventh.

Santana went 2-for-4 with a double, a walk, four RBI and a run scored in Friday's 9-5 win over the White Sox.

EDGE Analysis

Santana got Cleveland on the board early with a two-RBI single in the first inning before adding another run-scoring single in the third, and drove in his last run by drawing a bases-loaded walk in the fourth. The veteran first baseman has quietly been producing lately, batting 10-for-33 (.303) with seven RBI over his last nine games. Santana's ability to deliver in run-producing spots has been a great asset for the Guardians' lineup as they continue their playoff push.

Santana is absent from the lineup for Tuesday's game versus the Mets.

EDGE Analysis

It marks the second time across the last three contests and fourth time over the last 12 games that Santana has been out of the lineup. The 39-year-old is slashing just .198/.265/.280 since the start of June and could continue ceding starts to C.J. Kayfus. It will be Kayfus handling first base and batting eighth for Cleveland on Tuesday.

Santana is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Twins.

EDGE Analysis

Santana appears to be getting a well-earned rest for a day game. Kyle Manzardo will start at first base and C.J. Kayfus will serve as Cleveland's designated hitter.