It may have been one of the most intriguing caught-stealing outs this season.
In the first inning of the Cubs’ 7-3 victory over Cincinnati on Sunday, right fielder Kyle Tucker was nicked in the foot by a Nick Martinez pitch but had to wait a few minutes before heading to first base as the replays confirmed the contact.
He then tried to steal second and was gunned out for the first time in 17 tries this season by Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson.
Tucker came out of the game after four innings with a jammed right ring finger, which he suffered on that headfirst slide into second base in the first inning. It also caused a cut above his nose.
Manager Craig Counsell proclaimed Tucker “day-to-day.” The right fielder, who has played in all 59 games for the Cubs, is hopeful he will answer the bell for No. 60 on Tuesday, when the Cubs visit Washington.
“It’s just a little jam, there,” Tucker said. “There is a little swelling. Obviously, we have an off day (Monday) and I hope it’s better when we get to Washington.”
The play was also noteworthy because it was the first time since Sept. 11, 2023, that Tucker was caught stealing. He had 29 straight swipes in that span.
Even with the sore digit, Tucker belted a pitch to right field in the third inning with his eyes on a triple, but the ball got stuck in the ivy and was ruled a double. Still, it ignited a four-run rally, which helped the team finish a homestand with a 5-1 record. The Cubs (37-22) have gone 14-4 since May 11.
“I tried to grind through the at-bats after that,” Tucker said. “It kind of felt weird. I came out and we got some X-rays and they are fine.”
Tucker also was hit by a pitch in the elbow in Saturday’s 2-0 win over the Reds.
“You get beat up playing sports, it’s no big deal,” Tucker said. “It’s just a part of it and I hope I can get back in there.”
Pete Crow-Armstrong had three hits, three runs and two stolen bases while Michael Busch had two hits, including a home run into the wind, and three RBIs as the Cubs took the series in front of a packed house of 40,178 at Wrigley Field.
Tucker was a prized offseason acquisition in a December trade with the Houston Astros and is on a one-year deal signed in January. He’s been an important cog in a Cubs offense that entered Sunday’s game second in Major League Baseball with 334 runs.
Winning pitcher Jameson Taillon (5-3) gave up two runs in 6 1/3 innings and admired that the Cubs were able to play strong even without knowing the severity of Tucker’s injury.
“He’s a great player and we need him out there,” Taillon said of Tucker. “But we have a long lineup and guys who can fill in if needed.
“We have such a professional group, and we have guys who have been around so long that there was no panic. Just keep your head down and do your job. If we need to weather the storm, we can.”
Taillon continues his mastery at Wrigley Field, where he has a 2.70 ERA at home as opposed to 4.96 on the road.
“There could be something weather-related,” Counsell said. “(Taillon’s) biggest strength is that he is an elite strike thrower. He’s always among the league leaders in walk rates. He is capable, more than most, of taking advantage of favorable weather conditions.
“All of these are small adds. But he’s certainly capable of taking advantage of it.”
After Monday’s off day, the Cubs embark on a stretch of 26 games in 27 days playing Washington, Detroit, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Milwaukee, Seattle, St. Louis and Houston.
Counsell said the depth of the team will be tested.
“Look, you’re still going to see the regulars out there most days but there will be some days when (reserves Jon) Berti and (Vidal) Bruján will be in there.”
A Shota Imanaga bobblehead was the giveaway on Sunday and the honoree had a few pregame throws before boarding a flight to Arizona to get some work in while he is mending from a left hamstring strain.
Counsell said Imanaga will throw live in Arizona and will pitch in multiple rehab games before returning.
“We have to build up volume as days tick off the calendar,” Counsell said. “We want to bring him back in a place where he is ready to be himself.”
Imanaga was 1-1 in four starts with a 4.50 ERA before going on the injured list on May 5.
Pitcher Tyson Miller, who is on the 60-day injured list with a left oblique strain, threw 35 pitches over 1 1/3 innings for Triple-A Iowa on Saturday, giving up two hits while walking two and striking out one.
Jeff Vorva is a freelance reporter with the Chicago Tribune.
