Kyle Tucker had to step away from Dodgers Spring Camp as he and his wife prepare to welcome their first child soon.

Mar 4, 2026

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Feb 22, 2026; Peoria, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Kyle Tucker against the San Diego Padres during a spring training game at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images — Peoria, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Kyle Tucker against the San Diego Padres during a spring training game at Peoria Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Los Angeles Dodgers signee Kyle Tucker is not with the organization during Spring Training, as he is away for the birth of his first child.

According to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic, Tucker is with his wife as she gets ready for the birth of their child.

Tucker was with the team early on, dating back to the first day that position players reported for the preseason. He took part in live batting practices and played in four spring games before leaving.

Thus far, he is one for seven with four walks and a strikeout, regularly leaving games early to get depth players some at-bats.

Tucker is not the only Dodger who has been balancing out his time between parenthood and his career. Freddie Freeman did not join Team Canada for the World Baseball Classic due to his wife’s pregnancy.

Additionally, Mookie Betts opted to stay with his family rather than consider joining Team USA for the WBC.

Kike Hernandez, who is nursing a shoulder injury, is expected to have another child soon, while Max Muncy and Will Smith also added to their families.

Kyle Tucker’s expectations

Tucker has a good deal of pressure on his shoulders in the upcoming season as the highest-paid player after deferrals in baseball.

He was the most-talked-about free agent because he was the top name in the class. However, Tucker is far from a superstar in terms of production or personality.

Manager Dave Roberts is fine with Tucker’s demeanor, though, and the team will be more than happy if he can deliver another good season and play his role on a title-winning team.

“For me and the people I talked to about how he goes about it, there’s nothing negative about it,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.

“I love guys who just come to work and value playing and love playing and competing.

“He just wants to win. He’s not a self-promoter. He’s not going to give you guys a lot of great sound bites. He wants to play to win. I love guys like that.”

Dodgers fans should be excited to see another quiet, stable player join the team who fits the culture and the need the team had over the winter.