Dodgers’ Kyle Tucker out for Tuesday’s game vs. Twins

MINNEAPOLIS – Kyle Tucker “most likely” won’t play in either of the Dodgers’ remaining two games against the Minnesota Twins, manager Dave Roberts said on Tuesday.

Tucker had to be removed from the series opener on Monday with lower back spasms. Roberts said his hope was that Tucker could return to the lineup on Friday for the start of a three-game series in San Diego against the Padres.

Considering he was already likely to miss a couple of games, Roberts was asked if the Dodgers were thinking of placing the slumping outfielder on the injured list to give him a mental break.

“I don’t think we’ve thought about that,” Roberts said.

Between barely playing on Monday, not playing on Tuesday and Wednesday, and a day off schedule on Thursday, Roberts said Tucker would basically be down for four days until his next game.

“Hopefully he is taking advantage of that, obviously to get right, but also kind of a mental rest,” Roberts said.

Tucker is batting just .234 in the first year of his four-year, $240-million contract.

Did he think the time he misses could be beneficial to him in the long run?

“Maybe,” Tucker said. “See after I get back.”

Replaced in the starting lineup on Tuesday by Alex Call, Tucker said he still felt discomfort when rotating his torso.

However, Tucker said he thought he would be able to avoid the injured list.

“I’m feeling better today compared to yesterday,” he said.

Catcher Dalton Rushing was also not part of the Dodgers’ lineup on Tuesday. Chuckie Robinson was listed as the team’s starting catcher.

Struck on his catcher’s mask by a foul ball, Rushing was taken out of the series opener on Monday to rule out a concussion. Rushing passed his concussion test after his removal but was scheduled to be examined again on Tuesday night.

Roberts was uncertain if anyone would play on Tuesday, as heavy rains were falling at Target Field. He said he would know more after his team’s scheduled call with Major League Baseball.

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