Dodgers coach’s comments on Kyle Tucker’s slow start suggest the pressure is getting to him

Los Angeles Dodgers fans let out a collective sigh of relief on Tuesday night when Kyle Tucker (with a little help from the baseball gods) delivered a bloop, RBI single to give the Dodgers a 2-1 lead over the New York Mets in the eighth inning, effectively winning the game for LA. He followed it up the next day with a homer, just his second of the year.

Tucker himself also must have exhaled with joy. It's been a rough go so far in 2026 for Tucker at the plate, even though he's doing everything in his power to make an impression on his new club and perhaps validate his massive, league-altering contract.

But that's also the problem — Tucker is trying too hard. Pressing. It's what's kept his OPS low (.693 entering April 17) and his strikeouts high (17 and counting).

Dodgers believe Kyle Tucker is pressing at the plate

The Dodgers are aware of the problem with Tucker, which is a mental one. Dodgers hitting coach Aaron Bates told The Athletic's Fabian Ardaya that Tucker just needs to settle in.

“I think he’s probably trying a little bit hard," Bates said of Tucker. "He’s just getting settled in a little bit. Everyone’s always trying hard, so I don’t want to say it that way, but it’s more so (that he’s) trying to force it, maybe force hits.”

The good news for Tucker and the Dodgers? LA has the best record in Major League Baseball. Tucker's bat may be taking some time to warm up, but the Dodgers can afford to wait. Remember, this was part of the whole appeal of the Dodgers to Tucker in free agency. Beyond the monstrous amount of money he'd make by signing with LA, he'd also be walking into a situation where there was no pressure to produce like a superstar.

That was supposed to lead to a relaxed mental state, allowing Tucker to thrive in the shadows of LA's megastars. It's why Tucker's cold start — which can be linked to the opposite of a relaxed state — is a tad head-scratching. Tucker's first homer at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday night was a sign that he's beginning to settle in.

Kyle Tucker will benefit from a supportive Dodgers staff and group of experienced teammates

At the end of the day, Tucker will come around. You can chalk up any struggles he undergoes in April to a new player getting comfortable with his new franchise. It happens. It'll be interesting to see how exactly Tucker gets himself out of his current mental roadblock. Oftentimes, thinking about why you're thinking too much only leads to a vicious cycle.

The Dodgers have the staff in place to help Tucker navigate that mental challenge. They have the players, too, who can steer Tucker in the right direction. Guys like Shohei Ohtani are no strangers to conquering immense pressure, both from the outside and of the self-imposed variety. Tucker will be just fine.

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