Photo: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

Cubs DFA Gage Workman, Bring Back Nicky Lopez

Originally posted on On Tap Sports Net | By Rich Eberwein | Last updated Apr 23, 2025 4:32 PM ET

The Chicago Cubs made a flurry of roster moves before Wednesday's tilt with the Dodgers. The big news is the team is cutting Gage Workman loose after his inability to play at the Major League level.

After taking Workman in the Rule 5 draft last December, the third baseman put on an impressive Spring Training with his glove and posting an OPS of 1.125. The performance was good enough to secure Workman a Major League roster spot despite having no experience above the Double-A level.

This reality became much more apparent when Workman looked completely outgunned against Major League pitching (.552 OPS). To make things worse, Workman's defense was not up to par and he has committed a series of costly errors while playing third base this year.

Gage Workman couldn't come up with a grounder with the bases loaded.

Freddie Freeman doubled the next at-bat to give the Dodgers the lead. pic.twitter.com/BQVtoDIp0V
— Marquee Sports Network (@WatchMarquee) April 23, 2025

These blunders surely contributed to the decision to let him go, since defense is supposed to be his bread and butter. Since he wasn't providing good value with the glove or his bat, the team clearly wasn't willing to give him any more leash.

The Cubs are also bringing back a familiar face as they've reportedly signed infielder Nicky Lopez to a one-year major-league contract.

The Cubs are re-signing INF Nicky Lopez. He was with them in spring then to the Angels and now back with the Cubs. Could use his glove.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) April 23, 2025

The Cubs signed Lopez to a minor league deal on February 7, and he spent most of Spring Training with the team until he was designated for assignment and released on March 21. The 30-year-old then made his way to the Los Angeles Angeles organization, where he collected six plate appearances at the MLB level before getting released last Friday.

Lopez played 124 games for the Chicago White Sox last season, and he was able to post a .241/.312/.294 slash line while getting the majority of his playing time between second base and shortstop. Lopez has also logged 395 innings at third base in his career, and this is the position where he is poised to help the Cubs the most.

The Cubs have also selected southpaw Drew Pomeranz and sent reliever Gavin Hollowell back to Triple-A. The Cubs traded for Pomeranz on Monday, sending cash to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for the former All-Star. Pomeranz hasn't pitched in an MLB game since 2021, but the Cubs are hoping the 36-year-old can provide some value out of the bullpen.

Sending Hollowell down is a bit surprising considering he tossed two scoreless innings against the Dodgers on Tuesday. Although the Dodgers hit the ball hard against Hollowell, he was able to strike out Shohei Ohtani and escape with no damage. But the Cubs are being aggressive with their roster moves this year and it's clear that they are in a "win now" mode.

Justin Steele has also been transferred to the 60-day IL after receiving flexor tendon surgery last week.

This article first appeared on On Tap Sports Net and was syndicated with permission.

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