Seiya Suzuki won’t be ready for Cubs’ Opening Day; Michael Conforto makes team

PEORIA, Ariz. — Seiya Suzuki will not be ready for Opening Day on Thursday, said Cubs manager Craig Counsell, who also said that outfielder Michael Conforto will break camp with the team when spring training comes to a close Tuesday.

Suzuki, who sprained his right knee on a headfirst slide playing for Japan in the World Baseball Classic on March 14, is hitting and doing other light activities, including throwing but has a ways to go before being declared ready, although he isn’t expected to be out long.

Starting the season on the injured list seems increasingly likely, but the Cubs have till Wednesday to decide.

“Look, we’ve had good days ever since he’s been back to camp,” Counsell said. “Opening Day, it’s not going to happen. [He’s] not going to be ready to play on Opening Day. Once you get past Opening Day, we’ve got to make a decision. Does it just make sense to give him some time? We’ve got time to make that decision.”

The left-handed hitting Conforto, 33, who started in right field against the Mariners Saturday night, signed a minor league deal with an invite to major league camp after a rough season with the Dodgers in 2025. Conforto batted .199 in 138 games last year and came to camp saying he was “motivated” by what transpired last season. Conforto is a .245/.343/442 hitter in 10 seasons with the Mets, Giants and Dodgers.Matt Shaw, transitioning to a super utility role after shining defensively at third base last season, is still getting acclimated to right field, although Counsell said he is confident Shaw, who is having a good spring offensively, can cover the position adequately.

In any case, Counsell expects Suzuki’s absence to be a short one.

“Everything else is going well, we’re just kind of running out of time in terms of being ready that quickly,” Counsell said.

Suzuki is being counted on to provide thump in the middle of the Cubs lineup. As a primary designated hitter last season, he had 31 homers, 32 doubles and 103 RBI. Kyle Tucker’s leaving for the Dodgers in free agency left right field open for Suzuki, who is in the last year of his contract.