Dodgers' Dave Roberts Identifies Why Kyle Tucker Struggles at the Plate

The highest-paid player in baseball is off to a slow start in 2026.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 4:38am

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A fractured, cubist-style painting depicting a baseball player's batting stance and swing broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in shades of blue and orange, conveying the dynamic energy and frustration of a star player struggling at the plate.An abstract illustration captures the dynamic energy and frustration of a star player struggling to find his swing at the plate.Los Angeles Today

Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts has identified why star outfielder Kyle Tucker, the highest-paid player in baseball, is struggling at the plate to start the 2026 season. Roberts says Tucker is chasing too many low pitches and getting out of his normal hitting zone, leading to a low batting average and lack of production.

Why it matters

Tucker's offensive struggles are surprising given his record-setting $240 million contract with the Dodgers. As the team's biggest offseason acquisition, the Dodgers are counting on Tucker to provide a major boost to their lineup, so his slow start is concerning for the club's World Series aspirations.

The details

Through the first few weeks of the season, Tucker is hitting just .246 with only one home run and nine RBIs. He's also striking out more than usual and making poor contact, with low barrel and squared-up percentages. Roberts believes Tucker is trying to do too much at the plate and chasing pitches out of his normal high-ball hitting zone.

  • The 2026 MLB season is currently underway.

The players

Kyle Tucker

A star outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers who signed a record-breaking $240 million contract in the offseason, but is struggling at the plate to start the 2026 season.

Dave Roberts

The manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers, who has identified the reasons behind Kyle Tucker's early-season offensive struggles.

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What they’re saying

“He's getting out of his zone, I see. He's not a guy who typically chases down below, but he's chasing a lot more down below for me.”

— Dave Roberts, Dodgers Manager

“Typically when guys chase, they're trying to do a little bit too much.”

— Dave Roberts, Dodgers Manager

What’s next

The Dodgers will continue to work with Tucker to get him back on track at the plate and within his normal hitting zone. If his struggles continue, it could raise questions about the team's offseason strategy and whether the record-breaking contract was justified.

The takeaway

Tucker's early-season offensive struggles, despite his record-breaking contract, highlight the pressure and expectations placed on the highest-paid players in baseball to perform at an elite level. The Dodgers will need to help Tucker regain his approach and confidence at the plate in order to maximize their World Series chances.