CHICAGO — After Wednesday night’s 4-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers, Cubs manager Craig Counsell confirmed an ESPN report that Kyle Tucker suffered a hairline fracture in his hand while sliding headfirst into second base in a game against the Cincinnati Reds on June 1.
“Initial X-rays were negative,” Counsell said. “I think we had an off day, (Tucker) sat out a day and pinch-hit the next day. He was kind of sore, but then good to go. He was sore for a little while but was able to play. We did some more imaging, and it showed a small fracture that was healing. That’s it.”
Counsell said that despite not getting any imaging done since the middle of June, Tucker is presently healthy and fully healed.
“Oh, yeah, absolutely,” Counsell said when asked if it was healed. “It hasn’t been an issue.”
Tucker had a hot June, slashing .311/.404/.578 with five homers and nine doubles. Once July hit, Tucker went in an offensive swoon.
The normally reliable slugger has posted a .560 OPS since July 1, has not homered since July 19 and has zero extra-base hits in August. After an 0-for-4 day on Monday, where he grounded out three times and was booed by Cubs fans on multiple occasions, Counsell decided it was time for an extended break for Tucker. The star right fielder has sat the last three games as he tries to work through his issues.
“Is it possible that playing through it changed some things?” Counsell said. “Yeah, absolutely. I think it’s probably likely that, at some point, that happened. But he wanted to play.”
Prior to Wednesday’s game, Counsell said that Tucker was using his time off to get his mechanics back in order as he searches for his best self.
“He’s trying things that are going to help,” Counsell said. “I think this is where you get to target a couple things and grab some feels from those things. Then you go with a particular adjustment.”
Counsell seemed to suggest that after giving him Tuesday and Wednesday off, Tucker could be nearing a return to the lineup.
“We’re just going day by day,” Counsell said. “At the start of this, for me, this was going to be two days. Because I think you have to give it some time.”
The Cubs wrap up their five-game set with Milwaukee on Thursday before heading to Los Angeles to play the Angels as they kick off a 10-game road trip.
(Photo: Zoe Davis / Getty Images)