Spring training has been a slog for Kyle Tucker, but he has a good excuse.
The Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder opened up about becoming a new dad and his struggles at the plate during the Dodgers’ exhibition game Sunday.
Tucker is slashing .200/.429/.200 this spring in 10 at-bats but missed a week of action to be with his wife Samantha after she gave birth to the couple’s first child earlier this month. He returned to game action Sunday, going 1 for 3 with a single and a strikeout against the Athletics.
Kyle Tucker is a New Dad
Tucker had to hike across the country to Florida, where both he and is his wife are from, to be with her for the birth. He expressed his jubilation about the new arrival.
“It’s awesome,” Tucker told Kirsten Watson of Sportsnet Los Angeles of becoming a father. “It’s really fun and exciting to be there and experience that with both families. We have a really good support group back home taking care of everyone right now, so they’re doing well.”
Tucker opted out of the World Baseball Classic due to Samantha’s impending pregnancy. He and his wife feel they picked the perfect time to have a child, since he got to spend time with his family without missing any real action.
“It’s been a lot of fun,” Tucker. “Only home for a few days, [I’m] glad I got some time with them.”
Kyle Tucker is Focused On Staying Healthy
Despite being a five-tool player and four-time All-Star, who was the prize of this year’s crop of free agents, Tucker has been bad in spring training throughout his career. His two hits this spring are one more than he had in 24 at-bats with the Chicago Cubs last year.
But Tucker isn’t concerned about struggling during games played in Arizona, while it is still technically the winter season. His goal is being well enough to participate when the games move into major-league ballparks in about two weeks.
“The biggest thing is you want to come out healthy and make sure you’re ready whenever the season comes around. That’s No. 1,” Tucker said. “Don’t worry about the outcome [of at-bats], just really trying to go through the process and trying to make that swing consistent and everything will come with it.”
With Tucker away, and with Mookie Betts (paternity leave), Will Smith (WBC) and Shohei Ohtani (WBC) also not playing in Dodgers spring training games, fans may forget what the LA lineup looks like at full strength right now.
But the Dodgers, of course, are the two-time reigning champs and added a World Series champion in Tucker, who of course helped the Houston Astros win the title in 2022.
He is excited to see the team at full potency and help them out when the regular season arrives March 26 at Dodger Stadium against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
“We have a great offense,” Tucker said. “There are a lot of players in here who have won World Series and multiple World Series, All-Star Games, Silver Sluggers, Gold Gloves, everything. … I’m excited to be here and am just trying to do my thing and contribute to them.”
New Dodgers Star Kyle Tucker Sends Strong Message on Spring Performance