I look at it this way: He is likely not at his ceiling and still needs development. To develop he needs to play. He develop if he's riding the pine. When his development is further along, then you can decide: Is he a backup? A 1B? or... maybe a #1?
If they keep him with the big team, though, his development will stagnate and his game will never be elevated over its current level.
Maybe it was not having Tage on the ice.