White Sox Designate Nick Maton for Assignment, Acquire Infielder Gage Workman from Cubs

Maton, a non-roster invitee brought into camp on a minor league deal, seemed like a long shot to make the Opening Day roster. However, a thumb injury to Brandon Drury at the end of Cactus League play opened the door for Maton’s inclusion.

White Sox manager Will Venable primarily used Maton as a designated hitter, though he also saw some time at first base. In 23 games, Maton slashed .173/.295/.327 across 61 plate appearances. If he clears waivers, Maton could remain with the organization at the minor league level.

Who Is Gage Workman?

Workman is a fascinating pickup for the Sox. A former fourth-round draft pick by the Detroit Tigers, the 25-year-old was acquired by the Cubs via the Rule 5 Draft. Although he struggled during his brief time in the majors, Workman has put together a solid minor league résumé, particularly in 2024.

At Double-A Erie last season, Workman slashed .280/.366/.476 with 18 home runs and 89 RBIs over 126 games. Defensively, he’s primarily played shortstop and third base but brings flexibility across the infield.

What’s on Tap Next?

Workman’s inclusion on the active roster presents some intriguing possibilities—chief among them, the potential for some untapped upside.

Jacob Amaya, to put it lightly, has struggled at the plate and provided just adequate defense at shortstop. Workman could find himself in a platoon situation, getting primary at-bats against right-handed pitchers and reducing Amaya’s exposure. 

A similar scenario could develop at third base unless Miguel Vargas shows more consistency at the plate.

Additionally, the White Sox could opt to use Workman as a designated hitter, where Maton previously logged most of his appearances. However, his addition creates a bit of redundancy on the bench alongside Bobby Dalbec. 

The Sox could opt to move on from Dalbec, designate him for assignment, and call up Tim Elko from Triple-A Charlotte. Elko, while not a premium prospect, has been torching the competition and has certainly earned a look.

Looking further ahead, the Sox will eventually promote top shortstop prospect Colson Montgomery, which could make Amaya expendable. As always, injuries and performance will ultimately dictate the roster. 

Workman, who has never played above Double-A and is out of minor league options, will have to prove his worth quickly and outperform his teammates at the big-league level.

If he does, he could give the White Sox some much-needed roster flexibility as their top prospects start trickling into the majors.