Is Kyle Tucker in the Cubs' starting lineup against the Nationals? Here's the latest

Since jamming his finger on a stolen base attempt against the Cincinnati Reds on June 1, Kyle Tucker's status has been among the most conversed topics in Cubs fandom.

The good news is Tucker and manager Craig Counsell have already assuaged concerns about the injury being a long-term issue, with Tucker even suggesting that he'll be on the field sooner rather than later.

The Cubs had a scheduled day-off following the Reds series finale, giving Tucker some time to rest and recover. Now, with the Washington Nationals on deck, the Cubs have to make a decision on Tucker's presence in the lineup.

Cubs hold Kyle Tucker out of lineup in game one against Washington Nationals

It appears the Cubs plan to give Tucker more chance to let his finger heal, as he'll sit in the first game of the series against the Nationals.

Seiya Suzuki will take over in right field — his traditional starting spot prior to 2025 — with Justin Turner drawing the start at designated hitter against former Cub Trevor Williams.

Now, before anyone loses their mind over this news, note that this is just a one-day absence as of this writing. Tucker's status for future games is uncertain, but assuming he isn't retroactively placed on the injured list, his absence shouldn't become a frequent occurrence in the lineup.

It's also worth noting that, following their day-off yesterday, the Cubs have a rough stretch ahead, featuring 26 games in 27 days. Their only scheduled day-off between now and June 30 is on Monday, June 16.

There's no sense in pushing Tucker back before he's ready just to risk re-injury or something worse. The Cubs should be able to handle the Nationals without their superstar right fielder, and even if they drop a couple of games while waiting out his recovery, ensuring Tucker is 100% should be the team's top priority right now.