Kyle Tucker’s Dodgers Jersey Number Revealed in Video After $240M Contract in MLB Free Agency
Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Kyle Tucker is debuting a new number with his new club.
Tucker wore a No. 23 jersey during his introductory press conference Wednesday in Los Angeles.
He had previously worn No. 3 and No. 30 for the Houston Astros and Chicago Cubs.
Tucker began his career wearing No. 3 during his first two seasons with the Astros. He switched to No. 30 for his final five seasons in Houston, and kept the number during his lone 2025 season with the Cubs.
He is now headed to Los Angeles after agreeing to a four-year, $240 million deal with the Dodgers in free agency this winter.
No. 23 was most recently worn in Los Angeles by outfielder Michael Conforto, who remains a free agent after not re-signing with the Dodgers this winter. The New York Post‘s Jon Heyman recently reported the Chicago White Sox have some interest in signing him.
The Dodgers haven’t had a player wear No. 30 since Scott Schebler in 2015. Dave Roberts, who took over as manager ahead of the 2016 season, has since taken the number.
Tucker said during Wednesday’s press conference that he chose No. 23 in honor of his former Astros teammate Michael Brantley. Brantley, who retired after the 2022 season, wore the number while playing in both Cleveland and Houston.
Dave Roberts said he expects Tucker to bat second or third in the Dodgers lineup, presumably behind Shohei Ohtani as the club’s leadoff batter, with Mookie Betts in the spot Tucker isn’t taking and Freddie Freeman batting cleanup.
Tucker will then be expected to slot in at right field on defense, likely shifting Teoscar Hernández to left field and leaving Andy Pages at center.
The Dodgers outfield ranked 18th in MLB in outfield outs above average last season, per Baseball Savant. Tucker is was graded last season as a below average defender in right field, but the Dodgers will hope he can improve on the minus-9 OAA Hernández recorded in 2025.
Tucker slashed .266/.377/.464 with 22 home runs and 72 RBI while playing through multiple injuries in 136 games for the Cubs last season. The Dodgers will hope to see his production jump alongside a healthier season in 2026 after paying out a $64 million signing bonus to bring him to Los Angeles.
