Kyle Tucker to sit for nightcap as Cubs reset

Kyle Tucker faces boos at Wrigley Field and will take days off as the Cubs try to revive his bat.

Cubs give Kyle Tucker time off to reset amid boos at Wrigley

At Wrigley Field on Monday, Tucker went 0-for-4 as the Cubs opened a pivotal five-game series with the Milwaukee Brewers. Fans booed the slugger for a third time in two days, and he reacted by tossing his helmet into the infield dirt. Since July 1, he is hitting .189 with a .560 OPS and just three extra-base hits, a stretch that has frustrated both him and the clubhouse.

The Cubs plan to sit Tucker for the nightcap as they look to reset the hitter. Manager Craig Counsell said Tucker would not start the second game and the club will mix Seiya Suzuki and Owen Caissie into right field and the DH spot while he rests. The organization has pointed to past rest stints with players like Miguel Amaya and Matt Shaw as proof that pauses can help, and a June thumb issue may have altered Tucker’s swing. The team remains hopeful a short break will restore Tucker’s timing and power without derailing his confidence.

The episode shows how teams manage a star when performance drags and public heat rises. Rest and lineup tweaks can reset timing, but they also risk fueling a narrative of decline if results don’t follow soon. Cubs officials emphasize the move is about reclaiming Tucker’s rhythm, not punishment, a distinction that matters for clubhouse trust and long-term growth.

Public scrutiny compounds the slugger’s challenge. Resting him signals a calculated approach that aims to protect both the player and the roster, yet fans and media will judge the decision as much as the swing. If Tucker rebounds quickly, the Cubs gain a quiet win; if not, the slump could echo beyond a single series and test patience across the organization.

Highlights

Patience will be the test as the season unfolds.