Michael Conforto, the left-handed outfielder who joined the Los Angeles Dodgers on a one-year, $17 million contract this offseason, has struggled to find consistent success in his first year with the team. The Dodgers brought Conforto in to provide veteran depth and left-handed power, but so far, his performance has fallen well below expectations.
Since making his Major League Baseball debut with the New York Mets in 2015, where he spent seven seasons and earned an All-Star selection in 2017, Conforto has built a solid career. He played the 2023–2024 season with the San Francisco Giants following a full missed season in 2022 due to a right shoulder injury. Over ten years and 1,103 games, Conforto holds a .246 batting average, a .792 OPS, 176 home runs, and 544 RBIs, with most of his success coming against right-handed pitching.
Max Muncy’s Imminent Return Adds Pressure
Conforto’s struggles have become more pronounced as the Dodgers prepare for the return of Max Muncy, who will begin a rehab assignment soon after being sidelined for nearly a month due to injury. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced before the series opener against the Cincinnati Reds that Muncy will start his rehab stint with Triple-A Oklahoma City, with a potential major league comeback next week.
“Max Muncy will join Triple-A OKC and begin a rehab assignment tomorrow, a little less than four weeks after he was injured. Dave Roberts said it’s TBD how many games he’ll need, but he’ll get three ABs and play third base tomorrow to start.” —Sonja Chen
Muncy’s anticipated return will likely shift the Dodgers’ lineup, pushing Tommy Edman back to the outfield and placing Hyeseong Kim at second base in matchups against right-handers. This realignment could restrict Conforto’s playing time, particularly given that his strengths lie in facing right-handed pitchers.
Outfield Congestion Forces Difficult Decisions
The Dodgers’ outfield currently includes Andy Pages and Teoscar Hernandez, alongside Edman and Conforto, creating a crowded situation. With Muncy’s imminent return, the team might need to consider trading Conforto or even designating him for assignment to manage roster spots effectively.
Through 91 games this season, Conforto has recorded a career-low batting average of .194 and a .650 OPS. However, there have been some improvements in July, as he hit .276 with an .840 OPS over his last 20 games, suggesting a possible uptick in form.
Outlook for the Dodgers and Michael Conforto
As the Dodgers prepare to reintegrate Max Muncy into the lineup, the team faces a strategic crossroads regarding Michael Conforto’s role. Balancing a crowded outfield and maximizing offensive production will be key for the Dodgers moving forward. How they manage Conforto’s continued struggles while integrating Muncy could influence roster moves before the trade deadline and the team’s positioning in the season’s second half.