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Michael Conforto gets concerning update on Cubs tenure.

The Chicago Cubs will have to make some tough roster decisions.

Chicago signed former All-Star hitter Michael Conforto in late February on a minor league contract with an invite to spring training. Conforto is a solid hitter, but he has struggled as of late. He’s looking to win the fourth outfield spot with the Cubs.

With Opening Day just weeks away, Cubs insider Sahadev Sharma of The Athletic believes Conforto is on the outside looking in.

“The bench battle appears to be primarily three players fighting for two spots: Michael Conforto, Dylan Carlson and Chas McCormick. … Numbers-wise, on offense, Carlson has put together the best spring so far,” Conforto wrote. “But that’s a dangerous game of both spring training numbers, which are largely meaningless, and small sample sizes. How they look means more than the pure results right now.

“Is the bat speed still there? Are they healthy? How is their defense? The latter may end up being a differentiator between McCormick and Carlson: Who can play better outfield defense, in particular, in center field? Talent evaluators are split on this, though most seem to lean toward McCormick. The recent advanced data doesn’t love either, although Outs Above Average gives the clear edge to McCormick.”

Conforto was an All-Star in 2017, and he spent last season with the Los Angeles Dodgers. However, Conforto struggled as he hit .199 with 12 home runs and 36 RBIs.

To begin spring training with the Cubs, Conforto is hitting .273 with 1 RBI in 11 at-bats.

Cubs Manager Admits Roster Decisions Will be Tough

Chicago is once again one of the top teams in the NL, and the Cubs have some tough roster decisions to make.

Cubs manager Craig Counsell admits that the team has a surplus of good MLB players, which is a good problem to have.

“We’ve got good candidates,” Counsell said. “I guess that’s the best part, probably. Conforto came in late just to add to that. I feel like we’re pretty comfortable. We added a good player. I feel really good about the choices there. There’s not going to be room for all of them.”

It does appear that Conforto, Carlson, and McCormick are likely battling for one or two spots on the bench, so the rest of spring training will be important for all three players.

Conforto, however, does have a unique connection to Counsell, as he was the first player the Cubs manager ever scouted, when he did some amateur scouting for the Brewers.

Counsell Explains Conforto Signing

The Cubs already had to make some tough roster decisions, and the team then inked Conforto to a minor league deal.

The signing was an intriguing one, and Counsell said the team wanted to bring in more competition.

“At this point, we’re looking to bring in candidates to just strengthen the roster,” Counsell said. “This is a sign that we’re going to continue to do that. … Michael had a down year last year.

“But he’s been a good player in this league for quite a while. Sometimes when you sign guys, it’s like, ‘Where is the opportunity here?’ And then we show up in five days and there’s a big opportunity, right? That’s how you look at this.”

Chicago opens its 2026 MLB season on March 26 against the Washington Nationals.

Cole Shelton Cole Shelton covers the NHL, MLB and Cleveland Browns for Heavy.com. He has covered pro and college sports since 2016, including bylines at BJ Penn, USA Today, SB Nation, Rotowire, Canadian Baseball Network and more. More about Cole Shelton