Cubs eye playoff berth while Kyle Tucker’s injury clouds future
As the Chicago Cubs gear up for the final stretch of the regular season, they find themselves five games behind the Milwaukee Brewers, who currently lead the NL Central. However, the Cubs hold a solid grip on the wild-card race and are on the cusp of securing their first playoff berth since 2020. The road ahead, though, may be less clear without their star outfielder, Kyle Tucker.
Tucker’s ongoing absence raises concerns
Since September 2, when Tucker exited a game against the Atlanta Braves due to calf tightness, he has been sidelined. Manager Craig Counsell has been waiting for promising updates on Tucker’s recovery but has been met with disappointing news instead. After being placed on the injured list a week later, retroactive to September 6, the outlook has remained uncertain.
Tucker could have been activated from the 10-day injured list as early as Monday, but his absence continues. He engaged in light running prior to the Cubs’ game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, yet Counsell acknowledged that “not much progress, frankly” had been made in Tucker’s recovery.
“We’ll see if we can move forward,” Counsell said, expressing the team’s hope for improvement in Tucker’s condition, as reported by the Chicago Tribune’s Meghan Montemurro. “If not, we’ll just be kind of status quo until we can have some improvement on the symptoms.”
Frustrations and hopes of a speedy return
For Tucker, the frustration is palpable. He has been vocal about his eagerness to return to the field and resume regular baseball activities. “It’s not really where I want it to be, which isn’t ideal,” he remarked. “I’m just trying to get back to feeling at least as close to game-ready as possible to get out there. All I want to do is just play baseball. So whatever I can do to try and get back to that, I’m trying to do, but it hasn’t gone as quickly as I would have hoped.”
The impact of his potential absence in the postseason
If Tucker’s injury persists, his absence could significantly impact the Cubs’ postseason ambitions. The compressed nature of a three-game first-round series means that he would have limited time to prepare for the intensity of playoff baseball. Rushing back too soon could risk aggravating his injury, leaving the Cubs at a disadvantage.
Despite his two-week hiatus, Tucker remains one of the Cubs’ most effective players this season. He ranks among the team’s top five hitters in several key statistical categories, including:
Batting average: .270 (second)
On-base plus slugging (OPS): .853 (first)
Home runs: 22 (tied for fourth)
Doubles: 28 (fourth)
Stolen bases: 25 (third)
RBIs: 73 (fifth)
His production speaks volumes about his value to the team, making his potential return all the more crucial as the Cubs seek to capitalize on their playoff opportunity. The coming days will be pivotal in determining whether Tucker can contribute to a team on the verge of a postseason return.
