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Dodgers Predicted to Make Michael Conforto Decision After Latest Development

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jon Conahan | Last updated May 16, 2025 2:30 PM ET

Designating their longest-tenured position player for assignment on Wednesday, the Los Angeles Dodgers will have some tough decisions to make moving forward.

Austin Barnes, who won two World Series with the Dodgers, was designated for assignment to call up No. 1 prospect Dalton Rushing. Rushing, one of the top catching prospects in Major League Baseball, is expected to be an above-average player at the big league level. It was the right decision from the organization, and could be a sign of what’s to come.

Searching for players who could potentially get the boot after Barnes, Noah Camras of Newsweek predicted that Michael Conforto might be one of them.

When the Dodgers signed Conforto during the offseason, the hope was for him to return to his All-Star level. Unfortunately, Conforto hasn't played great baseball, hitting just .175 with a 70 OPS+.

If he came in and gave the Dodgers similar production to his 2023 season, when he had a 100 OPS+ and hit 15 home runs, the situation would be much different.

“Conforto signed a one-year, $17 million deal with the Dodgers this offseason, hoping to be this year's version of Teoscar Hernández. It has not worked out... Rushing is also a left-handed hitter who the Dodgers have tried out in left field, Conforto's primary position. The pressure is on for Conforto to start living up to his contract,” he wrote.

It'll be interesting to see what the Dodgers do with him, as designating him for assignment would be a tough decision. However, there could be a scenario where they look to flip him at the deadline.

Perhaps another team will think he has the opportunity to turn things around, and that isn't exactly far-fetched given what he's showing throughout his career.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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