What Happened to Gage Tater Workman?
Gage Workman is an American professional baseball third baseman who made his MLB debut in 2025. After stints with the Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, and Detroit Tigers, he was most recently traded to the San Diego Padres on August 3, 2026, and added to their active roster.
Quick Answer
Gage Workman, a professional baseball third baseman, was traded to the San Diego Padres on August 3, 2026, from the Detroit Tigers, along with pitcher Casey Mize, in exchange for Kash Mayfield and Jackson Wolf. He was subsequently added to the Padres' 26-man active roster. Workman made his MLB debut in 2025 with the Chicago Cubs and also played for the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers before joining the Padres.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline13 events
Drafted by Milwaukee Brewers, did not sign
Gage Workman was selected by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 14th round of the 2017 MLB Draft but chose not to sign, opting instead to attend Arizona State University.
Drafted by Detroit Tigers
Workman was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the fourth round as the 102nd overall pick in the 2020 Major League Baseball draft.
Professional Debut in Minor Leagues
Workman made his professional debut, playing for the Lakeland Flying Tigers (Low-A) and West Michigan Whitecaps (High-A), where he showed a blend of hitting and stolen bases.
Played full season at Double-A Erie
He spent the entire 2022 season with the Erie SeaWolves (Double-A), recording 14 home runs, 68 RBI, and 30 stolen bases over 128 games.
Career-best minor league season with Erie
Workman had a standout year with Double-A Erie, batting .280/.366/.476 with 18 home runs, 89 RBI, and 30 stolen bases in 126 games, earning an Eastern League Post-Season All-Star nod.
Selected by Chicago Cubs in Rule 5 Draft
The Chicago Cubs selected Workman from the Detroit Tigers in the MLB Phase of the Rule 5 draft.
MLB Debut with Chicago Cubs
Gage Workman made his Major League Baseball debut with the Chicago Cubs.
Designated for assignment by Cubs
After nine appearances, Workman was designated for assignment by the Chicago Cubs.
Returned to Detroit Tigers organization
After a brief stint with the Chicago White Sox, Workman was returned to the Detroit Tigers organization and assigned to Triple-A Toledo.
Called up by Detroit Tigers, hits first MLB home run
Workman's contract was selected by the Tigers, and he was added to the active roster. He hit his first major league home run on the same day against the Kansas City Royals.
Optioned back to Triple-A Toledo
The Detroit Tigers optioned Workman back to the Toledo Mud Hens after Kerry Carpenter was activated from the injured list.
Traded to San Diego Padres
Gage Workman and Casey Mize were traded from the Detroit Tigers to the San Diego Padres for Kash Mayfield and Jackson Wolf.
Added to San Diego Padres active roster
Following the trade, Workman was added to the San Diego Padres' 26-man active roster, providing the team with infield versatility.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Gage Workman's journey in professional baseball has been marked by a promising amateur career, a significant draft selection, and a series of team changes in his early MLB years. Born on October 24, 1999, in Chandler, Arizona, Workman initially committed to Arizona State University for college baseball after being drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 14th round of the 2017 MLB Draft but chose not to sign. His collegiate performance at Arizona State, where he showcased his hitting and defensive skills, led to him being selected by the Detroit Tigers in the fourth round (102nd overall) of the 2020 MLB Draft.
Workman spent several seasons developing in the Tigers' minor league system, progressing through various levels including Low-A Lakeland, High-A West Michigan, Double-A Erie, and Triple-A Toledo. He demonstrated a blend of power, speed, and defensive versatility, particularly excelling in 2024 with Double-A Erie, where he posted career-best numbers, including 18 home runs and 89 RBI. This strong performance led to him being selected by the Chicago Cubs in the Rule 5 Draft on December 11, 2024, marking a significant turning point in his career.
His Major League Baseball debut came on March 29, 2025, with the Chicago Cubs. However, his tenure with the Cubs was brief, as he was designated for assignment in April 2025 after nine appearances. He was then claimed by the Chicago White Sox but was eventually returned to the Detroit Tigers organization in May 2025. Workman continued to hone his skills in Triple-A Toledo before being called up by the Tigers again on May 10, 2026, where he hit his first MLB home run. Despite a brief return to the majors, he was optioned back to Toledo on May 31, 2026.
The most recent development in Workman's career occurred on August 3, 2026, when he was traded by the Detroit Tigers to the San Diego Padres, alongside pitcher Casey Mize, in exchange for prospects Kash Mayfield and Jackson Wolf. Following the trade, Workman was immediately added to the Padres' 26-man active roster, providing the team with a versatile infielder. As of August 5, 2026, he is with the San Diego Padres, looking to establish a more permanent role in the major leagues.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Gage Tater Workman made different choices?