Cubs’ Tucker Told in June He Had Fractured Hand

The Chicago Cubs have been riding a rollercoaster in 2024. One of the big storylines? Star right fielder Kyle Tucker.

What started as a minor injury in early June has turned into a nagging problem. It’s messing with both his mechanics and his production at the plate.

The Cubs are still in the mix, and Tucker’s heading for free agency at season’s end. His recovery and performance over the next few weeks? They could swing the team’s playoff hopes—and his own market value—one way or the other.

Kyle Tucker’s June Injury: From Minor Jam to Fracture

On June 1, Tucker slid into second base against the Cincinnati Reds and hurt his right hand. The first X-rays looked okay—just a jammed finger, supposedly.

But then, more imaging found a hairline fracture between the pinkie and ring finger, right near the top of his hand. Even with that, Tucker decided to stay in the lineup instead of taking a break.

Playing Through the Pain

Somehow, Tucker kept producing at a high level right after the injury. In June, he put up a wild .982 OPS as the Cubs held onto first in their division.

That kind of output with an injured hand? It’s rare in baseball. It really showed how much Tucker means to the Cubs’ offense—and how competitive he is.

The July Slump and Mechanical Concerns

But July’s been rough. Tucker’s hitting just .189 this month, and he’s only managed four extra-base hits.

His ground-ball rate has shot up to 54%. Analysts usually see that as a red flag—often a sign of mechanical tweaks, maybe because of pain or trying to protect an injury.

Impact on His Swing and Timing

Even small changes in mechanics can throw off a hitter’s timing, bat angle, and ability to get the ball in the air. For Tucker, the fracture’s spot on his hand could mess with grip strength and bat control.

That might explain why his hard-hit rate and slugging numbers have suddenly dropped. Baseball’s a game of tiny margins, and this kind of thing can snowball fast.

Management and Recovery Strategy

Cubs president Jed Hoyer admitted, “even small injuries can significantly impact performance.” So the front office definitely sees what’s going on.

Manager Craig Counsell gave Tucker a few days off, hoping it would help both mentally and physically. The plan is to get him back in the lineup during the upcoming West Coast trip.

Tucker’s No-Excuses Attitude

Even with the slump and the injury, Tucker refuses to use the fracture as an excuse. He keeps saying he’s “fine.”

That’s pretty much who he is—leading by example, staying professional. It’s a big reason he made his fourth career All-Star Game this year.

What’s at Stake for the Cubs and Tucker

There’s a lot riding on the next few weeks for both sides:

• The Cubs need Tucker to bounce back if they want a shot at a strong finish and a playoff run.
• Tucker’s own free-agent value could hinge on how he closes out the season.
• And for fans? If Tucker gets hot, the end of the regular season could be a blast.

Looking Ahead

If rest and a few tweaks can ease the problems from Tucker’s hand injury, there’s good reason to think he can get back to being the bat the Cubs need. Health is always a wild card, but maybe his power will show up just in time to give Chicago’s offense a jolt for the playoff run.

Right now, the Cubs are hoping patience actually works—on the field and for getting their All-Star right fielder back to full strength before the games really start to count. In baseball’s endless grind, even a tiny fracture can throw everything off. As Tucker and the Cubs hit the season’s crucial stretch, everyone’s watching that bat in his hands—and wondering if his right grip is finally back.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Sources: Cubs’ Tucker told in June he had fracture