Kyle Tucker returns for Cubs (but the awkward questions aren’t going away)

One day after a report confirmed that Kyle Tucker has been playing through a hairline fracture in his right hand, and after having mandated time off on Tuesday and Wednesday, Tucker is back in the Chicago Cubs' starting lineup for the team's final game against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Considering the struggles Tucker has had in August, and the fact that we know he has been playing through an injury, it feels like this would have been a perfect opportunity for Craig Counsell to bat the veteran outfielder lower in the lineup. Doing so may have taken some pressure off Tucker, who certainly will have all eyes on his plate appearances during Thursday's contest.

The timing of Tucker's return to the Cubs' starting lineup is certainly curious. Conventional wisdom would have suggested that the Cubs could have given Owen Caissie one more start in right field before having Tucker return to the lineup on Friday, when the Cubs start a three-game set against the Los Angeles Angels on the road. Considering how things looked for Tucker and the fans at Wrigley Field earlier this week, it certainly wouldn't be a great look if the All-Star outfielder has another hitless performance.

Kyle Tucker rejoins Cubs lineup but it’s clear something’s still off

As much as the Cubs will need Tucker to return to his superstar form before the end of the season, it feels like they are making a rush judgment by inserting him back in the lineup after he had only had the last two days off. The Cubs have won all three games they've played over that span, and Caissie has looked the part.

There are still questions that need to be answered about how the Cubs have handled the injury to Tucker. If he returns on Thursday and hits well, the Cubs almost certainly would like to advance the news cycle. But this story shouldn't be overlooked. The Cubs failed to be forthright with an injury Tucker sustained, and when it became clear it was impacting his approach, the team chalked it up to him needing a reset before it took a reporter breaking the story of the injury.

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