Cubs adding Michael Conforto to Opening Day roster, replacing an injured Seiya Suzuki

In a pair of posts on X just minutes apart, Chicago Cubs beat writer Patrick Mooney broke the news that Michael Conforto is expected to make the team's Opening Day roster - and then revealed the likely reason why: Seiya Suzuki will not be ready to the regular season opener on Thursday against Washington.

Suzuki, who suffered a knee injury during the World Baseball Classic this month, continues to progress in his recovery but the Cubs aren't rushing one of their most important players back into action. According to Mooney, the team hasn't yet decided if Suzuki will start the year on the injured list but noted things are 'trending in that direction."

An IL stint for Suzuki to start the year could buy some time for Jed Hoyer and Craig Counsell to make a decision on the team's bench mix. Dylan Carlson and Chas McCormick are both in camp as non-roster invitees and there have been rumblings that Jonathon Long could force his way into the picture, as well.

We'll get further clarity in coming days as the final pieces are put into place and the team heads to Chicago ahead of the home opener.

Michael Conforto, Matt Shaw to see time in right with Seiya Suzuki out

With Suzuki sidelined, I suspect we'll see a combination of Conforto and Matt Shaw handling things in right field. That tandem comes with obvious defensive concerns: Conforto has significantly regressed in that department in recent years and Shaw is literally learning the position on the fly this spring. If they can simply keep the position afloat from an offensive standpoint, we've definitely seen worse stopgap measures when injuries surfaced in recent years.

The rest of the position player mix is more or less confirmed. Moises Ballesteros was informed this weekend he'll be on the Opening Day roster after a monster spring and Miguel Amaya will split catching duties with Carson Kelly. Really, the only uncertainties at this point are with the final bench spots, which is a nice place to be at this point in the spring.