Dave Roberts doesn’t sugarcoat things often. But when he does, it usually makes people talk.
With Kyle Tucker out of the Dodgers lineup due to a back issue, Alex Call stepped in and played three solid games. Four hits, two RBIs, a home run. That first homer of the season came at a good time. So when Roberts was asked about Call’s performance, he didn’t hold back on the praise.
“It’s been great. Alex is such a good guy to have on the team,” Roberts told reporters, via Sports Illustrated. “He knows his role. He’s dependable. He prepares. When you lose a guy like Kyle for whatever period of time, to fill in with Alex, you don’t lose much. You really don’t. I love his energy.”
That line — “you don’t lose much” — is the one that’s sticking. Not because it’s wrong, but because of what it says about Tucker’s season so far. The Dodgers traded for Tucker expecting an impact bat. Instead, he’s hitting .234 through 75 games with six home runs and 40 RBIs. Those aren’t terrible numbers for a role player. For a guy brought in to be a difference-maker? They’re underwhelming.
A Comparison That Cuts Both Ways
Roberts was clearly trying to boost Call. The 31-year-old outfielder has bounced around and knows his role. He’s a good locker room guy. He prepares. All of that is fine. But the comparison to Tucker lands differently when Tucker is struggling.
Fans online picked up on it immediately. Some saw it as a subtle dig. Others read it as Roberts being honest — Tucker hasn’t been great, and Call has been decent enough to fill in without the team losing a step. Either way, it’s a conversation the Dodgers probably didn’t want to have in late August.
Tucker left Monday’s 2-1 win over the Twins with that back issue and missed a few games. The Dodgers are being cautious. Back injuries can linger. And with the postseason approaching, they need Tucker to be the guy they thought they were getting, not the version they’ve seen most of this year.
What This Means for the Dodgers Down the Stretch
Los Angeles is in a tight race. Every game matters. If Tucker’s back keeps acting up, Call will get more at-bats. That’s not a disaster — Call has shown he can contribute. But the Dodgers didn’t trade for Kyle Tucker to become a $15 million backup. They need him producing, and they need it soon.
Roberts knows that. His comment wasn’t meant to throw Tucker under the bus. It was meant to keep a bench player’s confidence high. But in a sport where every quote gets picked apart, this one landed with a little more weight than usual. Tucker is expected back Friday against the Angels. We’ll see if he responds.
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