Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts provided insight into Kyle Tucker and Dalton Rushing’s injuries after they both left Monday’s series opener against the Minnesota Twins early.
Tucker left the game in the second inning after dealing with some lower back spasms at the beginning of the game. The outfielder has previously dealt with this type of injury before, though, and he doesn’t seem overly concerned.
“I had it once a couple of years ago,” Tucker said. “It didn’t feel like how it did last time, which is good. Last time it was lighting up like every couple of seconds or minutes, but here it was just that one time it lit up my whole back, and then after that it calmed down. Hopefully, I can feel good, wake up tomorrow and feel fine and get in there.
Roberts feels the same way, and said Tucker wouldn’t undergo further imaging on his back.
Rushing left the game shortly after Tucker, making way for Chuckie Robinson after a foul tip hit his helmet. He cleared concussion protocol afterwards, but will have to clear it again 24 hours later and is unlikely to play in Tuesday’s game.
How Have Kyle Tucker and Dalton Rushing Performed in 2026?
Tucker signed the most lucrative contract in MLB in terms of average annual value to bring his talents to Los Angeles last offseason, but he is yet to make much of a difference for LA. The outfielder has a .707 OPS through 75 games this season, hitting six homers in that time.
Rushing has been incredibly productive this season after struggling for playing time in 2025, posting an .821 OPS through 46 games with eight homers—twice as many as he had last season—and 22 RBIs.
Who Could Replace Kyle Tucker and Dalton Rushing If They Go on IL?
Tucker’s case is easier than Rushing’s to fix, as the Dodgers have a multitude of outfielders in the minors who deserve a shot in MLB. Ryan Ward has been with the Dodgers since Teoscar Hernandez went on the injured list, and would certainly get to see the field for longer if Tucker were to go down.
The Dodgers’ prospect pool at catcher is a little more shallow, though, so if Rushing were to go on the 7-day concussion IL, they’d have Robinson and Triple-A starter Eliezer Alfonzo in the mix at the MLB level.
Are you worried about either Tucker or Rushing’s injury?
One Response
Rushing yes, Tucker no