PHOENIX — The introductions have come in a constant wave for Kyle Tucker, with more still on the way as he approaches his first regular season with the Dodgers.
The stoic star has handled it all with his famous even-keeled approach that has served him well through eight major league seasons and four consecutive All-Star Game appearances.
First, it was getting to know the Dodgers’ front office following contract negotiations that ended with his MLB-rattling four-year, $240-million deal that included a $64 million signing bonus, of which $54 million already has been paid.
He met the media at his Jan. 21 introductory press conference, then saw his new teammates collectively for the first time when the Dodgers’ full squad reported to spring training last month.
Last week, Tucker met his son as his wife gave birth to the couple’s first child.
“It was good,” Tucker said. “They’re doing well now. Back home.”
Tucker is getting back to work in the desert this week, looking to find the form that led to a contract which pays him just $1 million during the 2026 season but jumps to $55 million next season. It will be $60 million in 2028 with the first of two consecutive player options.
He is undergoing an alarming amount of change in a short period of time, but Tucker is navigating the payday, the new team, a new city and the move to fatherhood in his trusted style.
“It’s exciting,” Tucker promised. “I’m looking forward to it. They’ll be out in L.A. with me and everything once the season starts, so I’m excited to see them again and just get ready for the season (and) play in meaningful games.”
Tucker said that with less than two weeks remaining in Arizona, before the team heads home for the Freeway Series, he knows it is crunch time to get his swing in line. He does not have a set number of at-bats he would like to achieve and said he will operate by feel.
“I’ll get plenty of (at-bats),” he said. “Whatever I kind of need, especially once the season starts creeping up on us, we’ll get those in.”
Manager Dave Roberts will let Tucker take control of the preparation timetable, although he did not have his new outfielder in the lineup Monday. Tucker is expected to play again Tuesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
“From what I’ve gathered of talking to him and his coaches before, he doesn’t need a lot to get ready,” Roberts said. “It was good to see him get a hit (Sunday). … I still think we have plenty of time to get him ready to go.”
Tucker went 1 for 3 on Sunday against the Athletics.
Known for fast starts, Tucker has 28 career home runs during regular-season games in both March/April, as well as May. Only September/October is higher with 31.
But last season with the Chicago Cubs, he struggled in the second half when typical swing triggers were unable to get him out of an extended slump. He batted just .184 with one home run in a 39-game stretch from July 1-Aug. 21.
Tucker was given three days off by Cubs manager Craig Counsell at the tail end of the stretch, went hitless in his first game back, then closed August with hits in eight of nine games. He had three multi-hit games during the Cubs’ eight-game playoff run.
“Sometimes you just got to grind through and do what you can, take what you can,” Tucker said when asked what he learned about himself during the rough stretch. “Just have really good at-bats. If you can draw a walk or move guys over and still be productive, even if you do get out, just make sure that when the hits come, they come.
“If (the hits) are not coming, just do what you can to make sure that you can get guys on and get some runs in. Just trying to win the game, regardless of the outcome for myself.”
True to form, Tucker never got too high or low through it all.
“We play so many games,” he said of why his unflappable approach serves him so well. “It turns into a little bit longer of a season if you’re riding those waves. So I just try to make every game and every day pretty much the same and do the best I can regardless of the situation.”
INJURY SCARE
Starting second base candidate Hyeseong Kim came away with a left hand injury in South Korea’s WBC game against Taiwan on Sunday and was not in the lineup for Monday’s game against Australia.
Manager Dave Roberts said he did not receive a status report on the injury.
With Tommy Edman (ankle) not ready to start the season on time, the Dodgers are looking for an Opening Day second baseman with Kim, Miguel Rojas and Santiago Espinal the leading candidates.
NOTES
Shohei Ohtani is expected to be in the Dodgers’ rotation when the regular season begins, Roberts said. The team has not decided which spot in the rotation Ohtani will occupy, nor the target number of innings for his first start. … Left-hander Blake Snell (shoulder) is pain-free and starting his throwing program, with the goal of throwing from a mound in some capacity this week. He is expected to be on the injured list when the season begins. … Utility man Kiké Hernandez returned to camp after spending time with his Puerto Rico teammates during pool play at the WBC. … The Dodgers are still trying to determine a workload goal for right-hander River Ryan as he returns from Tommy John surgery. “Let him continue to build up and see where that takes us,” Roberts said.
