The drama did not start inside Wrigley or American Family Field, but with a microphone. When asked about the Cubs’ recent skid, Brewers manager Pat Murphy didn’t hold back this time. Instead of the usual “they’ll figure it out” coach-speak, he dropped a bombshell. And his words weren’t just about a slump; they hinted at something deeper, something that could explain why one of Chicago’s brightest stars hasn’t looked like himself in weeks.
Murphy pointed directly at Kyle Tucker, suggesting that the Cubs’ right fielder may be gutting it out while playing hurt. “I think Tucker is hurt. I don’t have any information, but Tucker’s not the same. He’s hurt, and he’s playing through it. He’s such a class kid that he probably doesn’t mention it to anyone,” Murphy said. And with that, he introduced a layer of speculation that made fans and analysts lean in closer. Was this slump more than just a cold streak at the plate?
Then came the breaking point. Craig Counsell, tasked with managing the team’s playoff push and his star player’s health, made a decision that immediately stirred debate: Tucker would be sidelined for a couple of games. It wasn’t framed as a punishment, but as a necessity — a “tough call” designed to protect the player while balancing the Cubs’ postseason ambitions. But in baseball, timing is everything, and the timing of this move couldn’t be more delicate.
Naturally, the announcement triggered more questions than answers. If Tucker really is hurt, how long has he been playing through it? Why wasn’t it addressed earlier? And perhaps most effectively — what does this mean for the Cubs as they fight tooth and nail in the wildcard race? Even Murphy, despite being a rival manager, framed Tucker as someone too proud and too competitive to make excuses. “He wouldn’t complain of something that’s bothering him because he doesn’t want an excuse. He feels that responsibility,” Murphy added. That sentiment hit hard, especially for a fanbase desperate for clarity.
Brewers manager Pat Murphy on Cubs right fielder Kyle Tucker’s struggles: “I think Tucker is hurt. I don’t have any information, but Tucker’s not the same. He’s hurt, and he’s playing through it. He’s such a class kid that he probably doesn’t mention it to anyone.” pic.twitter.com/jIssgb0kFG
— 670 The Score (@670TheScore) August 19, 2025
To make matters more complicated, Counsell’s move has to be weighed against what Tucker means to this Cubs lineup. Sure, his numbers have dipped, but he’s still a threat every time he steps to the plate. And as Murphy noted, even MVPs like Christian Yelich had stretches where they dipped below .200 for a month — only to bounce back stronger. Which leaves the Cubs in a precarious position: do they protect their star at all costs, or keep pushing him into the grind of September baseball when every win matters? For Counsell, that was the heart of the decision.
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