Dodgers' Injury Setbacks
Dodgers face player shortage as Tucker exits with back spasms, Rushing sustains concussion scare
Key Points
Alex Call served as Kyle Tucker's pinch-runner at second base after Tucker exited the game with lower back spasms in the second inning.
Dalton Rushing left the game to rule out a concussion and is expected to head toward concussion protocol after taking a foul tip off his mask, with Chuckie Robinson replacing him behind the plate.
Tucker recently posted a nine-game stretch of a .303 batting average, marking a notable brief resurgence before the latest setback.
Prior to the latest game, Tucker’s profile included a sixth-highest year-over-year increase in aggressiveness on the first pitch and a 48.7% swing rate on pitches he’d seen before, signaling a marked change in approach.
His season OPS of .707 places him 110th among 152 qualified hitters, highlighting the ongoing struggles in what remains his first Dodgers season.
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Kyle Tucker left Monday's game against the Minnesota Twins in the second inning with lower back spasms, adding to a growing injury list for the defending champions. Alex Call took over as a pinch-runner after Tucker advanced to second base on a Tommy Edman single and was seen clutching his back, according to ABC7.
Catcher Dalton Rushing also exited after taking a foul tip off his mask, entering concussion protocol with Chuckie Robinson replacing him. The Dodgers entered the game at 49-29, but are now without Will Smith (neck inflammation), Teoscar Hernandez, and Kiké Hernandez — all on the injured list, per The New York Times.
Tucker Exits Early as Back Spasms Strike Again
Tucker reached base in the bottom of the second inning before Edman's single moved him to second. That's when team trainers and manager Dave Roberts came out. Tucker was pulled immediately, ending his night before it barely started, Head Topics reported.
This is Tucker's worst offensive season since his 2018 rookie year. He is batting .234 with six home runs and a .707 OPS in 75 games. That OPS ranks him 110th among 152 qualified hitters, according to Head Topics. He has played in 75 of the Dodgers' 79 games this season — showing up every day, but struggling to produce.
Tucker's Plate Approach Has Shifted Dramatically This Season
The numbers tell a clear story about what's changed. Tucker now has the sixth-highest year-over-year jump in first-pitch aggressiveness in all of baseball. His swing rate on pitches he has already seen in an at-bat has climbed to 48.7%. That kind of
Rushing's Concussion Scare Deepens the Catching Crisis
Dalton Rushing took a high-speed foul tip directly off his catcher's mask during the game. Trainers evaluated him on the field before pulling him to rule out a concussion. Chuckie Robinson replaced him behind the plate, The New York Times confirmed.
The timing is brutal. Will Smith is already sidelined with neck inflammation. With Rushing now likely headed to the 7-day concussion IL, Robinson is the only remaining catcher on the active roster with any experience. The Dodgers could be forced to explore trades or free agent signings to fill the void, according to Head Topics.
Roberts Points to Depth Options as Injury List Grows
Manager Dave Roberts did not shy away from the bigger picture after the game. He said Tucker "needs to get back to being the hitter who controls the strike zone," adding that the aggressiveness is working against expected results. Ryan Ward and Alex Call are now expected to see more time in the outfield, ABC7 reported.
Tucker did show a brief spark before Monday's setback. He batted .303 over a nine-game stretch from June 12–21, giving the team hope that his All-Star form was returning. Teoscar Hernandez is also nearing a return from the IL, which could help offset Tucker's absence. For now, the Dodgers' NL West lead sits at 2.5 games — and their depth is being tested every night.
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