Cubs scramble to calm growing panic after troubling Kyle Tucker news

After an off day on Thursday, the Chicago Cubs were hopeful that Kyle Tucker would return to the starting lineup for the team's game against the Washington Nationals at Wrigley Field. Tucker was held out of Wednesday's game against the Atlanta Braves due to a calf injury, and he is not in the team's starting lineup on Friday.

Craig Counsell told reporters that Wednesday's day off was encouraging for Tucker, but he is still experiencing some symptoms. The Cubs are expected to put Tucker through a workout before Saturday's game, and the hope remains that he could return to the lineup for one of the two final games against the Nationals this weekend. If Tucker is able to play, it will be as the team's designated hitter.

Considering the cushion the Cubs currently have in the National League Wild Card race, the team is in a position where they can be cautious with Tucker. The goal is that the Cubs have a healthy Tucker in October, but with that in mind, it's to highlight a concerning trend that has continued this season.

Rather than place one of their core players on the IL, the Cubs often decide to play a man short for several days. Dating back to when Dansby Swanson was a liability for the Cubs last season while playing hurt, it's a strategy that doesn't make much sense.

Kyle Tucker injury update leaves Cubs fans rattled despite team reassurance

Of course, a player also has to accept a trip to the IL, and that seems to have been at the center of Tucker's drama earlier this season. Tucker avoided going on the IL in June after suffering a hairline fracture in his hand, and the result was a slump that may have cost him money this offseason.

If the Cubs reach Sunday and Tucker still isn't able to play, there will need to be a more direct question asked of why he is still on the active roster over Owen Caissie. There is good news in the Cubs' Friday lineup as Pete Crow-Armstrong is in center field and batting fourth. Crow-Armstrong was given off days on Tuesday and Wednesday as a way to physically and mentally reset.

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