The Detroit Tigers are reuniting with an old friend.
Infielder Gage Workman, who the Chicago Cubs selected from the Tigers in December’s Rule 5 draft, is being returned to Detroit according to his transaction log.
Advertisement
As part of the Rule 5 draft rules, Workman was added to the Cubs’ Opening Day roster but struggled in his limited time on the North Side. He played in 12 games, registering three hits in 17 plate appearances before being traded to the Chicago White Sox.
Arizona Diamondbacks Corbin Carroll (7) slides safely back into first base past Chicago Cubs Gage Workman (25) during their Opening Day game at Chase Field in Phoenix on March 27, 2025.
Workman wasn’t much better on the South Side, notching three hits in nine games. He most recently appeared in an April 30 game against the Milwaukee Brewers before being placed on the injured list with a right flexor strain. Instead of adding him back to the roster when he returned, however, the White Sox put him on waivers.
Since no other team claimed Workman off waivers, the White Sox had to offer him back to the Tigers, who accepted.
Advertisement
ANALYSIS: Why 2025 Tigers remind Curtis Granderson of 2006 team that went to World Series
Detroit Tigers infielder Gage Workman with the Double-A Erie SeaWolves.
Workman was drafted by the Tigers as a power-hitting third baseman out of Arizona State with the first pick in the fourth round, No. 102 overall, in the 2020 draft — the same draft that yielded Spencer Torkelson, Dillon Dingler and Colt Keith. Workman, a teammate of Torkelson with the Sun Devils, spent his entire 2024 season at Double-A Erie, where he slashed .280/.366/.476 with 18 home runs and 89 RBIs in 554 plate appearances.
With the glut of infielders on the major league roster, Workman may not be called up to the big leagues any time soon.
You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers reunite with minor league infielder Gage Workman