Overview

• Tucker injured his right hand on a June 1 slide; initial X-rays were negative before follow-up imaging found a small fracture near the ring and pinky area.
• Manager Craig Counsell confirmed the diagnosis and said Tucker avoided the injured list and continued to play, reflecting a joint decision that aligned with the outfielder’s preference.
• Club leaders say playing through the injury likely altered his swing, with a pronounced July–August downturn featuring sharp drops in slugging and hard contact despite steady walk rates.
• After three games off to refocus, Tucker returned to the lineup Thursday against the Brewers batting second in right field, and he went hitless in a 4-1 loss that left Chicago seven games back.
• Tucker, acquired from Houston in December and entering free agency after the season, remains under close management as the Cubs weigh his workload during their playoff push.