CHICAGO — The Cubs will try to complete a series win over the Nationals without two of their most important players.

Outfielders Kyle Tucker (left calf soreness) and Pete Crow-Armstrong (right knee contusion) are out of the lineup for Sunday’s matinee. Both were going through pre-game drills and activities to determine their availability off the bench against Washington.

“No update on Kyle is probably the best way to say right now,” Counsell said before the series finale. “[Crow-Armstrong] came in and is actually feeling pretty good, so that’s a good sign. Obviously, he’s still a little sore today. We’re going to get him moving around today, which is a good sign, not just an off day.”

Crow-Armstrong fouled a pitch off his knee during the sixth inning of Saturday’s 2-1 loss to the Nationals. X-rays after the game were negative and he was ruled day-to-day after the game.

“Pete, we’re going to have him move around today and kind of see what that what that feels [like], and we’re going to do the same thing with Kyle, frankly,” Counsell said. “At this point, I’m not ruling them out to be involved in the game today, but we’ll get more information before the game.”  

Tucker exited Tuesday’s contest against the Atlanta Braves with the calf pain. The Cubs hoped keeping him out of the lineup in Wednesday’s finale, coupled with Thursday’s off day, would help him return to the field sooner. But Tucker remained out of the lineup on Friday with Counsell saying “I’m pretty optimistic that we should get him in the lineup by the weekend.”

The Cubs aren’t putting either player on the injured list, but “it’s not ruled out for any player, but you got to keep making progress.”

The extra roster spot in September allows the Cubs to be more patient with Tucker and Crow-Armstrong and deciding whether to put them on the injured list. Kevin Alcántara, who was called up earlier in the week, is manning center field and hitting ninth and Seiya Suzuki is playing right field, with veteran Justin Turner as the designated hitter.

The Cubs would have Willi Castro on the bench as an option if it’s needed in the outfield on Sunday.