Gage

Workman

What might be most interesting about this is that the Tigers played Workman in centerfield on Sunday. Workman started the season playing mainly third base for the Cubs and White Sox and was exclusively an infielder in the minor leagues in 2024. He did play eight games in right field in 2023, but with Javier Baez in center field and Parker Meadows on the path to returning, it’s interesting to see the Tigers use Workman in the outfield rather than at third base. Perhaps they are trying to see if they can use him as a super utility player at the big league level.

Workman passed through waivers unclaimed after being designated for assignment earlier this week by the White Sox, which meant he was offered back to the Tigers. The 25-year-old infielder was a Rule 5 pick by the Cubs in the offseason before heading to the South Side on a waiver claim. He’ll head to Triple-A Toledo to bolster Detroit’s organizational depth.

It’s the second time the Rule 5 pick has been DFA’d, as the White Sox just got him from the Cubs a couple of weeks ago. Maybe the Rockies will consider him now, since they’re short on infield help and can use all of the talent they can get. If no one steps up to claim him, he’ll head back to the Tigers organization and probably report to Triple-A.

Workman is a Rule 5 pick from the Tigers, so there’s no sending him down. Instead, the White Sox will go this route to get him some minor league at-bats before bringing him back. Workman was 0-for-2 in three appearances since being picked up from the Cubs last week.

Workman won’t have to leave town after all. The 25-year-old rookie was cut loose earlier this week by the Cubs after getting into just nine games during the opening month of the season. He’ll have an opportunity to play a bit more with the rebuilding White Sox, but it’s unlikely to translate into any fantasy relevance.

The Cubs are going to go with Nicky Lopez as an infield option over Workman. The 25-year-old could see interest on the trade market/waiver wire, and if he goes unclaimed, a trip to Triple-A Iowa seems likely.

It’ll be fellow rookie Gage Workman at third base on Monday night. Shaw is batting .190 (8-for-42) with one homer and three RBI through 12 games. The plate skills have been sharp as he’s walked nine times while only striking out a dozen times during that span. The 23-year-old top prospect hasn’t lit it up so far, but he’s one of the more complete power/speed combo threats at the hot corner for fantasy purposes.

Shaw will get his first day off of the season. The 23-year-old will take a break with Gage Workman manning the hot corner and hitting eighth.

The Cubs have to trim down their roster a bit quicker than most teams as they’re traveling to Japan to open the season against the Dodgers on March 18. The biggest surprise here is Nicky Lopez, who had been expected to land a bench spot on the team’s Opening Day roster. That means that Vidal Brujan and Rule-5 selection Gage Workman should each travel with the team to Japan. It wouldn’t be surprising to see Lopez ultimately get released and explore other opportunities elsewhere.

Workman crushed an 0-1 curveball from Jack Leiter for a 390-foot (110.8 mph EV) solo shot in the fourth inning that tied the game at 2-2. He was also punched out by Cody Bradford, finishing the afternoon 1-for-2. The Rule 5 pick is making a strong impression early in Cubs’ camp, hitting .294 (5-for-17) with a pair of homers and six RBI. He isn’t going to wrestle the starting job at third base away from Matt Shaw, but don’t be surprised if he cracks the team’s Opening Day roster in a bench role.