The truly great teams take care of business when expected, and that’s exactly what the Chicago Cubs (37-22) have been doing this season. They haven’t dropped a series since May 11, cruising past a group of mostly average teams to hold the National League’s best record alongside another club. Naturally, excitement is high on the North Side, especially given the struggles of the past five years. However, much of that optimism hinges on the health of Kyle Tucker.
The three-time All-Star, who came to Chicago in an offseason trade with the Houston Astros, injured his right finger while trying to steal second base during Sunday’s 7-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds. He eventually left the game, causing concern among fans already dealing with the season-ending elbow injury to Justin Steele and the recent hamstring strain sidelining starter Shota Imanaga.
Thankfully, his injury appears less severe. “I think he’s going to be OK,” longtime analyst Bruce Levine told 670 The Score on Monday. “They took X-rays as you mentioned. He’s alright, but he really took a beating this weekend… This guy is one tough baseball player.”
Levine’s positive assessment backs up Cubs manager Craig Counsell’s postgame comments. Tucker is currently listed as day-to-day, a reassuring update for the Wrigley faithful who are eager to see their star back on the field soon.
Kyle Tucker has helped the Cubs explode back into prominence
Chicago features a stellar lineup that’s far from reliant on just one player, with Pete Crow-Armstrong and Seiya Suzuki also having standout seasons. Still, the 28-year-old right fielder remains absolutely crucial. Over 59 games, he’s hitting .284 with 12 home runs, a .394 on-base percentage, a .524 slugging rate, and a .918 OPS. A healthy Kyle Tucker has elevated the Cubs’ potential to levels they haven’t seen in the 2020s.
Fans are eager to see him at the plate—not only this season but beyond. The World Series champion is headed for free agency after 2025 and is projected to land a massive contract in the \$500-600 million range. Given the profound impact he’s already had on Chicago, the front office faces intense pressure to lock Tucker down long term.
For now, though, the priority is maintaining their hold on the NL Central. Chicago currently leads the St. Louis Cardinals by four games and will aim to keep their momentum going as they head to Washington to take on the Nationals (28-31).