Michael Conforto DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Michael Conforto is out of the starting lineup on Thursday for the team's home opener at Dodger Stadium against the visiting Detroit Tigers with left-hander Tarik Skubal on the mound. Andy Pages will instead make the start in left field and will bat ninth versus the reigning American League Cy Young winner. Conforto will most likely find himself on the bench against tough southpaws in his first year in LA. In the team's two-game series in Tokyo, Japan, against the Chicago Cubs on March 18 and 19, Conforto went 2-for-7 with a double, a walk and two strikeouts. In his career, the 32-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder has hit .232/.313/.391 with a .705 OPS against lefties, as opposed to a .257/.359/.479 slash line with an .839 OPS against right-handers. With Pages in left field, veteran infielder Miguel Rojas is starting at second and batting eighth for the Blue on Thursday in L.A.

According to Mark Feinsand of the MLB Network, the Los Angeles Dodgers have signed free-agent outfielder Michael Conforto to a one-year, $17 million contract. The veteran outfielder enjoyed a solid campaign with the Giants last season from a power perspective, holding a .237/.309/.450 slash line with 20 home runs. This was his highest home run total since the 2019 season. Under the hood, the 31-year-old generated a strong .479 xSLG, 11.8% barrel rate, and 46.0% hard-hit rate, all well above the average marks. However, Conforto did carry a hefty 24.2% strikeout rate and a modest 8.6% walk rate. Moving to the Dodgers, fantasy managers should expect Conforto to see an uptick in his counting stats, especially in RBI. Fantasy managers should monitor his status during spring training, as he could be given an everyday role in the starting nine.

San Francisco Giants outfielder Michael Conforto (undisclosed) has been scratched from the starting lineup ahead of Tuesday's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The organization hasn't given a reason as to why Conforto was scratched, so fantasy managers will have to check back for an update. Jerar Encarnacion will take over at designated hitter and bat sixth versus right-hander Ryne Nelson on Tuesday. Through 20 games, Encarnacion is hitting .262 with two home runs and nine RBI this season. However, fantasy managers should be able to find a better streaming option ahead of Tuesday's game.UPDATE: Conforto was scratched due to side tightness but is expected to play on Wednesday.