Chicago Cubs Lose Kyle Tucker For More Extended Period

Kyle Tucker, Chicago Cubs OF, rounds the bases

As the Chicago Cubs continue to get themselves ready for a return to the postseason, they've received more bad news about star outfielder Kyle Tucker. He's been placed on the injured list, retroactive to Monday, with a strained calf that's kept him out of the lineup for the past week.

The Cubs place Kyle Tucker on the IL (retroactive to 9/6) with a left calf strain. pic.twitter.com/Pyop1ZejPh
— MLB (@MLB) September 9, 2025

The move was made retroactive to Sept. 6th, so he will be eligible to return as early as Sept. 16, if he's ready. But MLB Network analysts, and former players, are worried about the calf injury being a nagging thing that can linger.

#MLBCentral discusses the Cubs and Kyle Tucker, who has missed the last 4 games with a calf injury. pic.twitter.com/V2CCwdP3nV
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) September 8, 2025

Tucker, a pending free agent who'll be looking for a huge payday this offseason, started his first year in Chicago like gangbusters. He batted .300 with a 1.009 OPS through the first 28 games of the season, with 12 homers and 37 RBIs. His free agency stock was soaring past the $400 million mark, per pundits around the league.

But it's been a rough second half of the season for Tucker, who posted only a .570 OPS from July 1 through Aug. 22. He also suffered a hairline fracture in his right ring finger in June.

Overall, the former Houston Astro is batting .270 with 22 home runs, 73 RBIs and an .854 OPS over 133 games. His 148 OPS+ is still the second-best of his career.

The Cubs aren't in any danger of missing the playoffs, as they hold the first Wild Card spot, with a huge 8.0 game lead on the San Francisco Giants, the first team on the outside looking in.

In Tucker's place, the Cubbies have recalled their No. 2 overall prospect, catcher Moisés Ballesteros, from Triple-A Iowa. He was hitting .316 with an .858 OPS there.