MESA, Ariz. — Gage Workman did not have to wait long when summoned to learn his roster fate.
Manager Craig Counsell avoided creating any further suspense after Workman stepped into his office Sunday, immediately informing the third baseman he is part of the Chicago Cubs’ travel roster to Japan.
“Shock, just I can’t believe this is happening,” Workman said of his reaction. “It’s pretty exciting.”
Workman, 25, faced a tough challenge to make the team as a Rule 5 draft pick, but Counsell lauded his “tremendous” camp performance to prove himself. He entered Sunday hitting .385 with a .433 on-base percentage, 1.203 OPS, three home runs and 11 RBIs in 12 games.
“In the end, we’re taking Gage because we feel like he’s a functional piece on a roster and that means he played really well, it means he really did his job,” Counsell said. “He impressed, maybe more than that, he surprised in some areas. We’ll see where that goes.”
While some decisions had not yet been made as of early Sunday afternoon — a group that most notably includes third baseman Matt Shaw — the Cubs’ bench for the Tokyo Series gained clarity with the confirmation Workman and infielder Vidal Bruján are part of the team, Counsell revealed Sunday.
Infielder Nicky Lopez, a nonroster invite, was told he did not make the team. The Cubs hope to keep Lopez in the organization, but he has an opt out in his minor-league deal at the end of camp and is expected to explore a big-league opportunity elsewhere.
“Nicky had a heck of a camp, did everything we wanted him to do,” Counsell said. “The other guys around the competition also played very, very well and so there’s a decision.”
The 27-year-old Bruján, who is out of minor-league options, played well too, posting a .292/.379/.542 slash line with three extra-base hits in 29 plate appearances.
Workman hasn’t played above Double A where he spent most of the last three seasons in the Detroit Tigers’ organization. His defense at third base and ability to play other positions, including outfield and shortstop, the latter of which he will play in Monday’s game, was also a significant factor in the decision. The Cubs believe he will be a plus-defensive third baseman.
“He’s a left-handed-hitting third baseman that we think is a pretty good defender — there’s a lot of opportunities for that,” Counsell said.
Workman’s first calls with the celebratory news went to his wife, Lexie, his parents, his in-laws, and former Cubs prospect Brennen Davis, the best man at his wedding.
“It was really cool just to have the opportunity, a big blessing to be here and then be able to play well and be able to make this team is pretty special,” Workman said. “If you add pressure in those situations, like, you need to get a hit, here you need to make a play, I think that’s when you tense up and you don’t get hits and don’t make plays, so just doing your best to do the opposite of that and just try to play free.”
The Rule 5 draft status requires Workman to stick on the Cubs’ big-league roster, aside from any stint on the injured list, the entire season for him to remain in the organization. There aren’t any guarantees Workman will be part of the domestic opening day roster March 27 against the Diamondbacks, but they see value in keeping him around for at least their first two games versus the Dodgers.
The Cubs will have a couple of options for their third base starter in the Tokyo Series. If Cubs opt to have Shaw stay back at the complex and continue to get reps to better prepare for the resumption of their regular-season schedule, Workman, Bruján and Jon Berti would be in the mix. Veteran infielder Justin Turner started at third base Sunday to get reps and feel comfortable at the position where he saw limited action last year between Seattle and Toronto. However, the Cubs primarily view Turner as a designated hitter and first baseman.
The final position player spot on the active 26-man roster for the two-game Tokyo Series likely comes down to Shaw or outfielder Kevin Alcántara. Alcántara exited the game after one at-bat Sunday for precautionary reasons but is expected to play Monday. He had been checked out by Counsell and a trainer during his fourth-inning at-bat following a swing but stayed in, ultimately striking out.
The Chicago Cubs travel roster to Japan is starting to take shape. Gage Workman and Vidal Bruján will be rostered for the Tokyo Series. But will Matt Shaw?
MESA, Ariz. — Gage Workman did not have to wait long when summoned to learn his roster fate.
Manager Craig Counsell avoided creating any further suspense after Workman stepped into his office Sunday, immediately informing the third baseman he is part of the Chicago Cubs’ travel roster to Japan.
“Shock, just I can’t believe this is happening,” Workman said of his reaction. “It’s pretty exciting.”
Workman, 25, faced a tough challenge to make the team as a Rule 5 draft pick, but Counsell lauded his “tremendous” camp performance to prove himself. He entered Sunday hitting .385 with a .433 on-base percentage, 1.203 OPS, three home runs and 11 RBIs in 12 games.
“In the end, we’re taking Gage because we feel like he’s a functional piece on a roster and that means he played really well, it means he really did his job,” Counsell said. “He impressed, maybe more than that, he surprised in some areas. We’ll see where that goes.”
While some decisions had not yet been made as of early Sunday afternoon — a group that most notably includes third baseman Matt Shaw — the Cubs’ bench for the Tokyo Series gained clarity with the confirmation Workman and infielder Vidal Bruján are part of the team, Counsell revealed Sunday.
Infielder Nicky Lopez, a nonroster invite, was told he did not make the team. The Cubs hope to keep Lopez in the organization, but he has an opt out in his minor-league deal at the end of camp and is expected to explore a big-league opportunity elsewhere.
“Nicky had a heck of a camp, did everything we wanted him to do,” Counsell said. “The other guys around the competition also played very, very well and so there’s a decision.”
The 27-year-old Bruján, who is out of minor-league options, played well too, posting a .292/.379/.542 slash line with three extra-base hits in 29 plate appearances.
Workman hasn’t played above Double A where he spent most of the last three seasons in the Detroit Tigers’ organization. His defense at third base and ability to play other positions, including outfield and shortstop, the latter of which he will play in Monday’s game, was also a significant factor in the decision. The Cubs believe he will be a plus-defensive third baseman.
“He’s a left-handed-hitting third baseman that we think is a pretty good defender — there’s a lot of opportunities for that,” Counsell said.
Workman’s first calls with the celebratory news went to his wife, Lexie, his parents, his in-laws, and former Cubs prospect Brennen Davis, the best man at his wedding.
“It was really cool just to have the opportunity, a big blessing to be here and then be able to play well and be able to make this team is pretty special,” Workman said. “If you add pressure in those situations, like, you need to get a hit, here you need to make a play, I think that’s when you tense up and you don’t get hits and don’t make plays, so just doing your best to do the opposite of that and just try to play free.”
The Rule 5 draft status requires Workman to stick on the Cubs’ big-league roster, aside from any stint on the injured list, the entire season for him to remain in the organization. There aren’t any guarantees Workman will be part of the domestic opening day roster March 27 against the Diamondbacks, but they see value in keeping him around for at least their first two games versus the Dodgers.
The Cubs will have a couple of options for their third base starter in the Tokyo Series. If Cubs opt to have Shaw stay back at the complex and continue to get reps to better prepare for the resumption of their regular-season schedule, Workman, Bruján and Jon Berti would be in the mix. Veteran infielder Justin Turner started at third base Sunday to get reps and feel comfortable at the position where he saw limited action last year between Seattle and Toronto. However, the Cubs primarily view Turner as a designated hitter and first baseman.
The final position player spot on the active 26-man roster for the two-game Tokyo Series likely comes down to Shaw or outfielder Kevin Alcántara. Alcántara exited the game after one at-bat Sunday for precautionary reasons but is expected to play Monday. He had been checked out by Counsell and a trainer during his fourth-inning at-bat following a swing but stayed in, ultimately striking out.
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