Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Astros Lose Tucker, Rushing to Injuries; Smith on IL

6/23/2026

50 9 Full Breakdown

Summary

Kyle Tucker Exit

Kyle Tucker left the game in the second inning because of back spasms.
He has played 75 of 79 games since signing a $240 million, four-year deal and is batting .234.
Dalton Rushing left in the third inning for concussion testing, will be retested in 24 h, and was replaced by Chuckie Robinson.
Will Smith is on the 10-day injured list, prompting Dave Roberts to add a player if Rushing stays out.

Summary

Roberts Substitutes Tucker

Manager Dave Roberts said Tucker’s higher swing and chase rates hurt his strike-zone control.
The medical team gave Tucker an acetaminophen injection for his back spasm, a treatment he has used before.
After the injury, pinch-runner Alex Call stayed in right field, altering the Dodgers’ defensive alignment.
Roberts called the substitution a “smart” precaution and said the team will evaluate Tucker’s condition tomorrow.

Summary

Tucker Injured

Tucker’s back spasms sideline him for the first back injury in his nine-year major-league career.
Teoscar Hernández misses time with a left hamstring strain, adding to the Dodgers’ outfield woes.
Alex Call, a pinch-runner who can play all three outfield positions, has a .360 on-base percentage with 17 strikeouts in 111 plate appearances this season.
Rookie Ryan Ward contributes a .229/.302/.500 slash line in his first 17 major-league games.

History

Historical Context

When Matt Kemp went on the disabled list in July 2009, GM Ned Colletti called up rookie Dee Gordon, who hit .312 in 45 at-bats, showing the Dodgers’ reliance on depth. A similar pattern re-emerged in 2013 when Kemp’s ankle injury forced him out of the NLDS, and his 1,000th career hit earlier that season highlighted his importance. The franchise continues to adjust rosters around injuries.

1 of 4

Kyle Tucker Exit

Kyle Tucker left the game in the second inning because of back spasms.
He has played 75 of 79 games since signing a $240 million, four-year deal and is batting .234.
Dalton Rushing left in the third inning for concussion testing, will be retested in 24 h, and was replaced by Chuckie Robinson.
Will Smith is on the 10-day injured list, prompting Dave Roberts to add a player if Rushing stays out.

1 / 4