Veteran outfielder Michael Conforto will be part of the Cubs’ Opening Day roster, as reported by Patrick Mooney from The Athletic. Unfortunately, outfielder Seiya Suzuki won’t be ready to play due to injury, according to manager Craig Counsell. The team hasn’t decided if Suzuki will start the season on the injured list, though that seems likely.
At 33, Conforto came to the Cubs on a minor-league deal after a tough season with the Dodgers. His chances of making the big league roster looked slim, especially since he hasn’t played center field since 2019 and the Cubs already have a solid defensive center fielder in Pete Crow-Armstrong. This past offseason, the Cubs brought in other strong outfield options, making it hard for Conforto to find a spot.
However, with Tyler Austin sidelined for several months after knee surgery and Suzuki’s injury, Conforto now has a chance to step in. Matt Shaw is expected to take on more infield responsibilities since he lost his starting spot to Alex Bregman. Conforto and Dylan Carlson may share right field duties until Suzuki is back.
Conforto’s career has seen highs and lows. Between 2017 and 2020 with the Mets, he batted .265 with impressive power numbers, hitting 97 home runs in four seasons. But since 2021, he has struggled. After averaging out during his time with the Giants and Dodgers, he had a subpar 2025 season, finishing with a career-low wRC+.
Interestingly, while he has a solid track record against right-handed pitchers, recent stats show he performed better against lefties during the last two years. This could lead to a strategic pairing with switch-hitter Carlson, who also hit better against righties than lefties recently.
As for the Cubs’ payroll, Conforto’s deal includes a $2 million base salary. The Cubs are working with a payroll around $231 million, just under the luxury tax threshold. If they exceed this limit, it could impact their financial strategy moving forward.
In sum, Conforto’s role is evolving due to injuries. His past success might light up the Cubs’ lineup, at least until Suzuki returns. Whether the team can maximize their options will be interesting to watch as the season unfolds.
Source link
michael conforto,seiya suzuki
