Kyle Tucker remained out of the Cubs lineup in Washington D.C.

The slugger – who exited Sunday’s win over the Cincinnati Reds at Wrigley Field after jamming his right ring finger – has been out of the starting lineup for both games against the Nationals.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell, though, said the star is progressing.

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“Much better today,” Counsell told reporters in Washington on Wednesday afternoon. “He hit in the cage today. Just still feeling it.

“So we’ll give him another day, but definitely made progress from yesterday to today and optimistic about tomorrow.”

Seiya Suzuki is starting at right field and hitting second and Justin Turner is manning the designated hitter role for Suzuki. Here’s the rest of the Cubs starting nine:

Tucker’s absence wasn’t felt on Tuesday when Michael Busch finished a double shy of the cycle and the Cubs took the opener against the Nationals 8-3. But the Cubs won’t want to be without their star right fielder, either.

Thursday is an important day for his recovery – if he isn’t ready to play, that’s the last day the Cubs can backdate a 10-day injured list stint to Monday and keep him shelved for minimum stay.

Tucker downplayed the injury after Sunday’s win.

“I feel all right,” Tucker said after the game. “Hands a little jammed, a little swollen. Obviously, we got our off day tomorrow, so hopefully it feels a little better once we get to Washington.”

He suffered the injury in the first inning on Sunday. He attempted to steal second base but was thrown out when he slid awkwardly into the base, his right hand getting caught underneath him. The slide caused his helmet to fall off and produced a cut on the bridge of his nose.

“I mean this probably looks worse,” Tucker said of the scar on his nose.