Latest Kyle Tucker injury update doesn't exactly inspire confidence

It's already been a week-and-a-half since Chicago Cubs outfielder Kyle Tucker last played - and the latest update from manager Craig Counsell certainly didn't sound like we'll see him once the minimum IL stint is up, either.

According to Marquee Sports Network's Elise Menaker, Tucker has been active, but running remains an issue for the four-time All-Star. Counsell said Tucker won't get back into running until after a clean weekend of health, so all signs suggest he won't be ready to be activated on Tuesday, when he's eligible to return.

Given where the Cubs find themselves in the National League playoff picture, the only thing Counsell and the organization is focused on is making sure their star outfielder is ready for October. Chicago heads into the weekend as the Senior Circuit's top wild card team - and these next two weeks should be the finishing touches on punching a postseason ticket for the first time in five years.

Tucker's calf injury came at a rough time as he had finally snapped out of his late-summer funk. In the 12 games since returning from his mental reset during the Brewers series, he slashed .364/.462/.727, walking seven times to nine strikeouts and collecting eight extra-base hits, including four home runs.

Cubs' Seiya Suzuki out due to illness; Michael Soroka nearing a return

As Menaker noted, Seiya Suzuki was out of the lineup Friday due to illness. The struggling slugger has put up some horrendous numbers since the All-Star break and putting them side-by-side tells you all you need to know.

• First Half: .263/.319/.547 - 25 HR - 77 RBI
• Second Half: .204/.333/.269 - 2 HR - 14 RBI

Hopefully, Suzuki can get healthy and something clicks in the regular season's final two weeks. Without his production in the middle of the order, this lineup has a very different feel to it. Paired with Tucker's absence, it's laid bare what the Cubs need to focus on heading into October: getting healthy and sorting out its big bats.

Last, but certainly not least, trade deadline pickup Michael Soroka looks to be 100 percent and will be activated soon. His velocity, which was notably down before the Cubs acquired him, is back up in the mid-90s and the veteran right-hander could be a major bullpen presence for the team to close out the season.