MLB Makes Kyle Tucker Announcement Before Dodgers Season

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Hugh Green | Last updated Feb 4, 2026 8:00 AM ET

Newly signed Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Kyle Tucker has had quite the career in Major League Baseball. Through eight years in the big leagues, Tucker has a slash line of .273/.358/.507 with an OPS of .865, 147 home runs and 490 RBIs. He has been to four All-Star Games, won two Silver Slugger Awards, one Gold Glove Award and one World Series trophy with the Houston Astros.

Tucker spent his first seven years in the majors with the Astros after they selected him with the fifth overall pick in the 2015 MLB Draft. The Tampa, Florida, native signed a one-year deal with the Chicago Cubs for 2025, making him a free agent again this offseason.

As the top available player on the market, according to MLB.com's Mark Feinsand, Tucker eventually signed a four-year, $240 million contract with the two-time defending World Series champion Dodgers.

Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Kyle Tucker (30) with the Chicago Cubs.© Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images

In his one season with the Cubs, Tucker was impressive. He slashed .266/.377/.464 with an .841 OPS, adding 22 homers, 73 RBIs and 25 stolen bases in 136 games en route to a National League Silver Slugger Award for the outfield.

In 2026, Tucker will bring a championship pedigree and lots of playoff experience to an organization in the Dodgers that seems to get better every season despite making deep postseason runs year after year.

Before Tucker takes the diamond for Los Angeles, MLB announced the top 10 right fielders in baseball heading into the 2026 season, according to a fan vote. In this list, Tucker was honored as the No. 6 player at his position.

"The fans have made their voices heard! The top 10 right fielders for the 2026 season ," MLB's caption read.

The fans have made their voices heard!

The top 10 right fielders for the 2026 season https://t.co/MKQg4VSE5J pic.twitter.com/PjSMXwO8RA
— MLB (@MLB) February 4, 2026

Tucker came in behind a slew of talented outfielders, including New York Yankees star Aaron Judge (No. 1) and New York Mets slugger Juan Soto (No. 4). The new Dodgers star was ranked higher in MLB Network's position rankings, as he placed No. 3 among right fielders, behind only Judge and Soto, according to The Shredder, a data-driven ranking system used by the network.

Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Tucker and the rest of the Dodgers will begin their quest for a three-peat in 2026 when they begin their regular season against the Arizona Diamondbacks at home on March 26.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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