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Since being dropped in Dodgers’ lineup, Kyle Tucker has been more productive

May 15, 2026

LOS ANGELES — In the midst of the Dodgers’ collective struggles at the plate, there has been at least one positive sign.

Over 19 games before Thursday, Kyle Tucker has produced more like the player the Dodgers thought they were getting when they signed him to a four-year, $240 million contract last winter. During that stretch, Tucker was 19 for 64 (.297) with 10 doubles, a .410 on-base percentage and .910 OPS.

But Dodgers manager Dave Roberts isn’t blinded by the improved numbers.

“Yes, I think Kyle has looked better the last week. Still not right, for me – and for him,” Roberts said. “I think he is taking much better at-bats. I think he’s been much more consistent controlling the strike zone and not chasing as much which has led to a lot more contact and some hits.

“I see it once in awhile where I think he’s locked in, got his legs under him. But I don’t think he’s quite there yet.”

When Tucker is “locked in,” Roberts said he has “a hyper-controlled strike zone” that puts the onus on pitchers to get him out.

“You have to get him out in the strike zone, which a lot of pitchers don’t have the ability to do,” Roberts said. “I think the last couple weeks we’ve seen that versus the hyper swing rate, the chase rate which I think has been tempered the last week.”

Tucker’s turnaround started with the Dodgers’ series in San Francisco last month during which Roberts dropped him from second in the lineup. He hit .233 with a .676 OPS while making 21 of his first 22 starts in the No. 2 spot.

Hitting lower in the lineup – third, fourth or fifth – seems to be a more comfortable fit for Tucker.

“I think that game against the Giants was the start of it in San Francisco. I do think there was a change in mindset,” Roberts said. “I get it. Sometimes it’s just better to let the game come to you. Today he’s hitting third but as the fourth, fifth hitter – let the game come to you.

“I think that’s something that I have seen a stark change since that day in the at-bat quality.”

DAY OF REST

With Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts both out of the starting lineup on Thursday, the lineup took on a different look, starting at the top. Will Smith took Ohtani’s spot as the leadoff hitter and DH, his first career game in the leadoff spot.

“I just feel he’s unflappable. Whatever position he’s in, you put him in, he responds,” Roberts said. “I just felt that giving him an opportunity to get five at-bats, kind of leaving the other guys in their rightful spots, made the most sense. I just trust him. I felt like it was an easy thing for him to handle.”

Roberts said Ohtani would be available to pinch hit if the situation called for it against the Giants on Thursday, but Ohtani showed up later than usual and had a more relaxed pregame routine.

“I was hoping he would get here late and kind of take the day to rest and recover,” Roberts said.

The communication with Ohtani on his schedule now that he has returned to a full pitching workload has been “better,” Roberts said.

“I think that he certainly is very in tune with things around him, hyper in tune with his own well-being,” Roberts said. “But I think he’s now more willing to kind of give his opinion as opposed to just kind of do what the organization wants. It’s important because we can’t read minds. I can’t read minds. So it’s helpful when the player voices some thoughts. That’s one thing I’ve appreciated.”

Another thing the Dodgers have learned, Roberts said, is “that mentally, the days he does pitch, it’s tougher on him. Physically, it’s the day after.”

GLASNOW PROGRESS

Right-hander Tyler Glasnow started a throwing program on Wednesday, playing catch on flat ground. But he is still receiving treatment for his back spasms and it’s uncertain when he will be ready to start throwing off a mound.

“He’s in the trainer’s room, working on his core, his back,” Roberts said, adding that he doesn’t expect Glasnow to be ready to come off the injured list when he is eligible on May 22.

“He’s just been playing catch so I don’t know what the next step is before throwing off the mound. But I do know we’re going to take our time. I do know that.”

UP NEXT

Dodgers (LHP Blake Snell, 0-1, 12.00 ERA) at Angels (RHP Jack Kochanowicz, 2-2, 3.97 ERA), Friday, 6:38 p.m., SportsNet LA, 570 AM

Orange County Register

News Details

Since being dropped in Dodgers’ lineup, Kyle Tucker has been more productive

DAY OF REST

GLASNOW PROGRESS

UP NEXT

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