For the first time this season, Cubs right fielder Kyle Tucker was not in the starting lineup Tuesday night against the Nationals. Until then, he had appeared in all 59 games, including five as the designated hitter, but a jammed finger on his right hand ended that streak.
The injury happened Sunday during a slide into a base against the Reds, when Tucker’s hand got stuck in wet dirt and twisted as he was caught stealing. Cubs manager Craig Counsell said the finger was still sore during Monday’s off day, which made it clear Tucker wouldn’t play Tuesday. As of game time, Tucker hadn’t resumed swinging a bat, though swelling had gone down. Counsell expected Tucker might return in “another day or two” and didn’t anticipate needing to place him on the injured list.
Tucker had been one of the Cubs’ most productive hitters, ranking seventh in OPS (.918) and fifth in OBP (.394) among National League qualifiers.
In Tucker’s place, Seiya Suzuki moved to right field and hit second in the lineup, while Justin Turner filled in at designated hitter.
Suzuki’s Hot Start
Suzuki, who drove in a run with a fifth-inning sacrifice fly, led the National League with 52 RBIs entering the game. That total increased thanks to his productive outing.
“He’s having the best start of his career,” Counsell said, noting Suzuki’s success is partly due to the strong lineup around him. Batting behind high-OBP hitters like Tucker and Ian Happ has given Suzuki plenty of opportunities with runners on base. Typically hitting between lefties like Happ and Michael Busch or Pete Crow-Armstrong, Suzuki has also benefited from favorable matchups, especially against left-handed pitchers.
Suzuki came into Tuesday with a 1.192 OPS against lefties — sixth-best in MLB among players with at least 30 plate appearances.
With Tucker out, Counsell bumped Crow-Armstrong up to the third spot, keeping Suzuki between two left-handed hitters. Crow-Armstrong, who had a hit in three at-bats Tuesday, was just behind Suzuki in RBIs with 51.
Busch Keeps Rolling
Michael Busch continued his strong performance, reaching base in each of his first four trips to the plate Tuesday with a triple, single, walk, and home run. Including a pinch-hit appearance on Friday, Busch had reached base nine straight times before flying out in the ninth.
“He always makes good swing decisions,” Counsell said. “That’s why even when his production seems quiet, he’s contributing. And these last two games, he’s been at the center of it all.”
