Dave Roberts reveals Dodgers lineup plan amid Kyle Tucker slump

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Dave Roberts reveals Dodgers lineup plan amid Kyle Tucker slump

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Matt Wadleigh | Last updated Apr 23, 2026 3:24 PM ET

Kyle Tucker, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ prized free agent signing, has not gotten off to a strong start to begin the 2026 MLB season.

As of April 23, Tucker is batting just .233 with three home runs and 13 RBIs, and much more is to be expected after the Dodgers gave him a whopping four-year, $240 million deal.

Tucker has been batting second this season, but Roberts changed things up for Thursday’s game and put Tucker in the cleanup spot. And, for now, Roberts plans to keep Tucker there for some time.

Also, Roberts said he will keep Freddie Freeman hitting second and Kyle Tucker hitting fourth for the foreseeable future.

“I do feel (Tucker) is trying to do too much,” Roberts said. “I definitely expect him to come out of it.” #Dodgers
— Katie Woo (@katiejwoo) April 23, 2026

At the start of April, Tucker had a five-game stretch with at least one RBI, but he has had just two RBIs in five games entering Thursday.

The Dodgers’ offense, as a whole, has struggled during the series against the San Francisco Giants. LA scored just one run combined in the first two games, so it isn’t just Tucker.

After Wednesday’s game, Roberts said Tucker is “clearly not comfortable” and “frustrated,” so maybe the lineup switch will turn things around for the star outfielder.

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

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