Cubs' Craig Counsell Announces Kyle Tucker Update After Absence From Lineup originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

Kyle Tucker is in his first season with the Chicago Cubs after a blockbuster offseason trade that concluded his seven-year stint with the Houston Astros.

The superstar right fielder made his MLB debut during the 2018 season but didn’t truly establish himself as a consistent, reliable option in the lineup until the pandemic-shortened 2020 campaign.

Since then, Tucker has excelled, earning four All-Star selections, capturing both a Silver Slugger and a Gold Glove, and registering a top-five finish in AL MVP voting, underscoring his well-rounded impact.

He also played a crucial role in Houston’s 2022 World Series title run, but the front office was unwilling to guarantee the lucrative contract he’ll likely command once he reaches unrestricted free agency next offseason despite his stellar contributions.

During Tuesday’s game against the Kansas City Royals, Tucker took a foul ball off of his knee.

He was held out of the lineup for the series finale after manager Craig Counsell admitted he was a little "banged up," but Counsell expects the two-day break will be enough for Tucker to return by Friday.

Per Craig Counsell, Kyle Tucker is just a little “banged up” from taking the foul ball off his knee last night. Counsell is expecting the two days off (today and no game tomorrow) to be enough for Tucker to be back in the lineup on Friday

— Zoe Grossman (@zoe__grossman) July 23, 2025

In 2025, Tucker is proving he’s worth a massive payday, solidifying himself as one of baseball’s most dynamic talents.

Over 100 games this season, he’s hitting .275 with an .876 OPS, has launched 18 home runs and swiped 23 bases while anchoring Chicago’s middle of the order.

Tucker has been a driving force behind the Cubs’ surge this year, as Chicago currently sits tied with the Milwaukee Brewers for first place in the NL Central.

This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 23, 2025, where it first appeared.

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