Gage Workman was called up by the Tigers from Triple-A Toledo to replace Kerry Carpenter on the injured list, and his middle name Tater is already making headlines.
A fresh face has arrived in Detroit’s lineup, and for Gage Workman the call-up comes with a story worth knowing before the first pitch.
The Tigers activated infielder/outfielder Gage Workman from Triple-A Toledo on Sunday. filling a roster spot left open by Kerry Carpenter.. Carpenter is being placed on the injured list after suffering a shoulder injury during Saturday night’s 5-2 loss to Kansas City. a game that included an inside-the-park home run by Bobby Witt.
Workman is 26 years old. Born Oct. 24, 1999, in Chandler, Arizona, he has moved through baseball’s ranks with a clear timeline that helps explain why he isn’t treated like a typical long-shot prospect.
His path to the majors has featured two separate draft moments.. Workman was first selected in the 14th round of the 2017 Major League Baseball Draft out of high school by the Milwaukee Brewers. but he didn’t sign.. Instead, he went to Arizona State, where he played alongside current Tigers first baseman Spencer Torkelson.
Detroit later added Workman through the 2020 draft, when the Tigers took him in the fourth round. That pick came with a $1 million bonus, setting the stage for several seasons in the organization’s minor-league system.
Unlike many players making their first big-league appearance, Workman is not considered a prospect. Sources indicate the Tigers’ decision reflects that he has already played in the majors—an important distinction that shapes how teams evaluate opportunity and roster readiness.
Before his latest return, Workman spent time in the Tigers’ minor-league system from 2021 through 2024, reaching as high as Double-A Erie. After that run, he was left unprotected for the 2024 Rule 5 Draft, and he was selected by the Chicago Cubs.
With the Cubs, he made the Opening Day roster in 2025. However, he struggled offensively and defensively in nine games before being traded to the Chicago White Sox, where he played in three games.
Injuries followed that brief stretch. Workman suffered a hip injury, was later designated for assignment again, and ultimately returned to the Tigers’ organization in May 2025—making this Sunday’s call-up the next step in a circuit that has included multiple organizations.
On the field with Toledo this season, Workman has been producing at a level that made the promotion feel timely.. He is batting .358/.413/.590 with four home runs, 28 RBIs, and 12 stolen bases in 35 games.. He has struck out 35 times and walked 13, a profile that points to an approach blending aggression with selectivity.
His best minor-league season came in 2024 with Erie, when he hit 18 home runs and drove in 89 runs over 126 games. That year also included an .843 OPS and 30 steals, a combination that helped define his value as a player who can contribute in more than one way.
Defensively, Workman’s role has been fluid depending on the needs of the moment. This season at Toledo, he has played exclusively in the infield, spending most of his time at shortstop while also covering third base and second base.
At the same time, Toledo’s usage in 2025 has included outfield responsibilities as well. He has played 53 games in the outfield, including 21 in center field and 21 in right, showing the flexibility the Tigers likely want from a roster spot.
There is also a human detail already drawing smiles among fans: Workman’s middle name is Tater.. It’s a stand-out for any baseball card biography. and sources indicate it was also his grandfather’s nickname—adding a family thread to a professional story that has already taken him through several stops.
For Detroit. the decision to call up a non-prospect like Workman signals something specific about the immediate roster picture: when a shoulder injury sidelines a teammate. the Tigers have chosen a player who has enough big-league experience to step in. while still delivering Triple-A production that supports the move.
And for Workman. whose career has already included draft detours. major-league seasons with more than one club. and an eventual return to Detroit’s system. the next chapter arrives with a clear purpose—help the Tigers replace a key presence while proving that the momentum he’s built at Toledo can travel to the majors.
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