For the Cubs, the past week has been marked by a stretch of six wins in seven games, a nifty way to get through the meat of this final month, along with a run of pitchers returning from injuries that has the team’s staff looking primed for a playoff push. But what it does not have is Kyle Tucker.
Still.
It’s been a bizarre month for the Cubs star, who first injured his calf on September 2, an injury considered minor enough that the team did not put him n the injured list. There was a steady slate of improvements reported by the Cubs after that, to the point at which Tucker was declared ready to play and in the lineup last Tuesday.
But then he was pulled from the lineup, the calf problem having strangely worsened, and Tucker went to the injured list. Not only has it not gotten better in the past week, but that team is now taking the step of sending Tucker elsewhere for treatment, a bad sign for the return of a player who is batting .270 with 22 homers and 25 steals, and a team-high OPS of .854.
Cubs OK With Kyle Tucker Seeking Treatment
Here’s the announcement from Cubs manager Craig Counsell on Wednesday morning:
Kyle Tucker is traveling to Tampa this morning with a member of our medical staff to receiver additional treatment on his calf. We’re aligned with Kyle on this is the best way for him to make some improvements. Unfortunately, we plateaued, and we weren’t making progress. That’s frustrating for Kyle and that’s the concern getting him back this soon.”
Tucker had a shin fracture in 2024 while he was playing for the Astros, and was out for most of June, as well as July and August because of it. He sought treatment in Tampa then, too.
“He had some success with this group last year in Houston when he had a leg injury as well, so we’re hoping for the same success and hoping to get him back on the field. He’ll rejoin the team on the homestand in Chicago,” Counsell said.
Will Kyle Tucker Play Again for the Cubs?
The Cubs are wrapping their series against the Pirates in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, and travel to Cincinnati for a four-game weekend series with the Reds. They return to Wrigley to play the Mets next Tuesday, September 23.
The Cubs have just six games on the schedule at that point, and Counsell said he really wants to see Tucker back in action by then.
“I think we are optimistic that he will play,” Counsell said. “But we are at the point where the calendar is starting to, you know, the days are running out. I think it is important he plays in regular-season games. If he wouldn’t, we’re talking about three-and-a-half weeks, I think that’s why you’re willing to go this extra step here to try something. I think it’s important that he plays next week, so we’re doing everything we can to make that happen.”
Tucker is a free agent after this season.
Cubs’ Kyle Tucker Leaving Team Amid Concerning Injury Woes