The Chicago Cubs' star lefty slugger, Kyle Tucker, has been dealing with calf tightness for the past week or so at this point. He has been missing from the lineup for the last five games, and the Cubs as a team have lost three straight games.
Tucker has been listed as Day-to-Day, but now that it's been nearly a week, many are wondering why the Cubs haven't just placed him on the injured list. Chicago is 81-63, and currently holds the top Wild Card position in the National League. This would grant them a home series in the playoffs if their seed holds over the next 20 or so games.
Manager Craig Counsell sends message regarding a Tucker IL stint
Following the Cubs' loss to the Atlanta Braves on Monday, Counsell spoke with the media and provided some insight on the time for Tucker's return to the lineup:
"At this point, no," Counsell said.
"I think we're making progress," the manager added, according to Sharma. "As long as we're having days where we're moving forward and getting closer — that's what we've felt the last two days, especially — we're in a good place."
It's good news that he seems to be headed in the right direction, but the Cubs' fans have to be losing patience a bit with the diagnosis, especially because the offense has been struggling in his absence. They've scored just one run in three of their last five games since Tucker has been out of the lineup.
Getting Tucker back to his all-star form right before October baseball would be just what the doctor ordered for this struggling offense, and for Tucker himself, who has struggled over the past couple of months.
Despite the struggles, Tucker has still played in over 130 games this season, has hit 22 home runs, and has an OPS+ of 148, which is well above league average.
Tucker has been named an all-star the past four seasons, and also has a World Series ring with the Houston Astros, a Silver Slugger award, and a top-five MVP finish in his career. He's set to test the free agent market this season as one of the biggest options on the market.