The Cubs have designated Gage Workman for assignment, ending the Cinderella story for the prospect a month into the 2025 season. Workman was picked in the Rule 5 Draft from the Tigers and earned a spot on the Opening Day roster. Unfortunately, things have not worked out for the 25-year-old infielder, who had previously played in Double-A and jumped straight to the big leagues this year.
Workman made two errors Tuesday night against the Dodgers. The first led to Tommy Edman’s three-run homer with two outs in the first inning. Then, Workman made an error in the Dodgers’ five-run, seventh-inning rally. Workman has been filling in at third base and also had a costly mistake in Friday’s wild game against the Diamondbacks.
He also dropped a pop up in San Diego that proceeded a Manny Machado home run.
The Cubs probably thought they could stash Workman at the end of their bench this season with Matt Shaw being the every-day third baseman. However, Shaw struggled at the plate and was optioned to Triple-A last week.
Workman did not have a lot of playing time with the Cubs, but when he did get a chance he looked like a guy who wasn’t ready to play in the majors.
Workman’s time with the Cubs is done for now, but there’s a chance he clears waivers and then the Cubs make a deal with the Tigers to retain his rights and keep him at Triple-A. If not, Workman will be returned to the Tigers.
Nicky Lopez will take Workman’s spot on the 26-man roster.
(Previous Update)
The bar is so incredibly low for backup infielders on the Cubs right now that the team has reportedly re-signed Nicky Lopez. The veteran utility man signed a minor league deal with the Cubs in the offseason, but was then released in spring training when he was notified that he wasn’t making the Opening Day roster. Lopez eventually found an MLB spot with the Angels, but he was DFA’d last week and now he’s back with the Cubs.
Lopez was spotted walking into Wrigley Field on Wednesday afternoon ahead of the Cubs’ series finale against the Dodgers.
So, Lopez is either replacing one of two guys on the active roster. Gage Workman had an awful night on Tuesday, committing two errors that led to five runs. The left-handed hitter has had limited playing time, getting a total of 14 at-bats. He’s 3-for-14, with 6 strikeouts and a walk.
Workman was a Rule 5 Draft pick this past offseason as the Cubs grabbed him from the Tigers. The 25-year-old jumped straight from Double-A to the majors with the Cubs and at the very least he was supposed to be a dependable defender at third base. Workman looked great at the hot corner during spring training, but he’s been a mess in the regular season, albeit he’s only had a handful of starts.
There’s also the possibility that switch-hitter Vidal Bruján could be injured. He was the pinch-runner in the 10th inning on Tuesday night and scored the game-winning run against the Dodgers. Bruján stayed down at home plate for a bit after scoring, so maybe he tweaked something running in from second base.
We’ll see what the official roster move is by the Cubs, but Lopez will be on the active roster. Again, expectations are so low for him. I said it for Workman and I’ll say it for Lopez, just make the routine plays on defense and any contribution on offense is a plus.
Until Matt Shaw returns I’d expect to see a lot more of Jon Berti starting at third base.
