With the MLB postseason right around the corner, the Chicago Cubs are wrapping up their 2025 regular season in a matchup against the St. Louis Cardinals in Chicago.
Set to face the San Diego Padres in the Wild Card round, the Cubs will welcome the Padres to Chicago for a huge series to likely decide who heads to the Milwaukee Brewers for the NLDS.
Fortunately for the Cubs, they got some incredible news from Kyle Tucker, as the Cubs' big trade pickup from the offseason shared a huge announcement on his injury ahead of the Cardinals series, and right before the postseason.
Kyle Tucker makes a big announcement on his injury ahead of the Cardinals series
According to Jesse Rogers of ESPN, "Kyle Tucker (calf) says that he is indeed in the lineup, as expected. He last played on Sept. 2."
Back at Wrigley for me today: Kyle Tucker (calf) says he is indeed in the lineup, as expected. He last played on Sept. 2.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) September 26, 2025
Tucker is a huge piece of the Cubs' offense, and he's nearly missed the entire final month of the 2025 season. However, with three games before the regular season comes to a close, he's back in the Cubs lineup, ready to help the Cubs in the postseason.
The 28-year-old Tucker is going to be a free agent at the end of the year, and with concerns that he could depart, this postseason might be the final time for Tucker in a Cubs uniform. Even if he does re-sign, seeing Tucker return to the lineup is still a huge boost for Chicago.
This season, Tucker has a .270 batting average, 22 home runs, 73 RBIs, 132 hits, and an .853 OPS. Of Cubs hitters, only Moises Ballesteros (in 49 at-bats) has a higher OPS than Tucker (489 at-bats).
Getting their outfielder back before the final series is a huge deal for the Cubs. Instead of Tucker shaking off a month's worth of rust in the postseason, he'll have a couple of games to get loose before the games really begin to matter.
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If the Cubs can secure one more win, they'll have the fourth seed in the NL essentially locked up, which would guarantee home-field advantage in the Wild Card. That means these last few games do matter for the Cubs, and Tucker's return is a good way to secure the home Wild Card series.
Tucker was acquired from the Houston Astros for Cam Smith and Isaac Paredes, and while both have been good for the Astros this season, Houston is on the verge of missing the playoffs, while the Cubs have already clinched their spot this October.
This announcement from Tucker comes at a great time. With one series left in the regular season and the playoffs right around the corner, Tucker's return will be a huge one for the Cubs. He's set to be in the lineup against the Cardinals, beginning the season-series finale for the Cubs in 2025.
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