{
  "$type": "site.standard.document",
  "bskyPostRef": {
    "cid": "bafyreiahpq33jrk3fiexjqim6nxmkifpnfby4btzja2lckavdpqz3wezjm",
    "uri": "at://did:plc:ha7wpngv4f2qwrk5hta4ktbb/app.bsky.feed.post/3mfv3ghlqaed2"
  },
  "coverImage": {
    "$type": "blob",
    "ref": {
      "$link": "bafkreiaqdqpe5bslhpyul3pckhguzhbjfcnxjaqn2k5umw2qhzvxufx7cm"
    },
    "mimeType": "image/jpeg",
    "size": 201349
  },
  "path": "/cubs/2026/02/27/cubs-michael-conforto-motivated-by-2025-dissapointments",
  "publishedAt": "2026-02-27T23:55:37.290Z",
  "site": "https://chicago.suntimes.com",
  "textContent": "<p>MESA, Ariz. — Outfielder <b>Michael Conforto</b>, who is in camp with the <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs\" target=\"_blank\" >Cubs</a> on a minor-league deal, had mixed emotions while watching the Dodgers’ World Series run last season after being left off their postseason roster.</p><p>‘‘Super-bittersweet, super-conflicting feeling, honestly,’’ Conforto said this week. ‘‘Felt like I didn’t earn [the World Series title], in a way. But still proud of that group of guys, proud of my ability to continue to be a good teammate and still uplift guys. . . .</p><p>‘‘I do still feel like I was a big part of it, but it leaves you hungry. It leaves you motivated. It was something I had to wrestle with through the offseason.’’</p><p>Conforto, who is in a <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2026/02/25/cubs-outfielder-michael-conforto-joins-evolving-bench-battle\" target=\"_blank\" >strong position to claim a roster spot</a>, is looking to bounce back after putting together the worst offensive season of his career with the Dodgers. He had a .199 batting average in 138 regular-season games.</p><p>‘‘Along the way, I lost the discipline in my routine and the things that really prompted the Dodgers to sign me,’’ Conforto said. ‘‘I kind of got away from that stuff and started trying to make adjustments in-season, [which] is never a good place to be.’’</p><p>Conforto worked this offseason with several instructors, including former super-utility player <b>Howie Kendrick</b>, who emphasized the lower half of his swing.</p><p>‘‘I wanted to get back to me, find myself again,’’ Conforto said. ‘‘And I feel great. Part of the reason I’m taking a [non-roster invite] is because I feel confident and I feel excited.’’</p><p>By joining the Cubs, Conforto reunited with left-hander <b>Matthew Boyd</b>, a former teammate at Oregon State and fellow Seattle-area native.</p><p>‘‘Mike’s amazing,’’ Boyd said Thursday. ‘‘Mike’s a winner. He won in college; he won in high school. I’ve known him that long and longer. And he’s another guy that’s a natural leader. He’s a selfless dude. And it’s kind of fun because I haven’t seen him as hungry as he is right now.’’</p><h3>Alcantara to get some action</h3><p>Outfielder <b>Kevin Alcantara</b> is set to appear in a game for the first time this spring when he serves as the designated hitter Saturday against the Dodgers, manager <b>Craig Counsell</b> said.</p><p>‘‘You’ll see him regularly, but we’re just going to be a little cautious,’’ Counsell said.</p><p>Alcantara has been a little behind schedule as he continues to ramp up after having offseason hernia surgery.</p><p>‘‘We’ve got plenty of time,’’ Counsell said. ‘‘He’s ready to go. He’s kind of pushing us, so it’s the right time.’’</p><h3>Bethancourt reports</h3><p>Catcher <b>Christian Bethancourt</b> reported to camp Thursday after a lengthy visa-related delay. He then had a full workout scheduled Friday.</p><p>Bethancourt, a non-roster invitee, is scheduled to play Saturday before leaving again to join Team Panama for the World Baseball Classic.</p><p>Bethancourt at least had the advantage of training at home as he waited for his visa issues to be resolved. He essentially has been playing with Panama’s national team in recent weeks, Counsell said.</p><bsp-listcarousel class=\"PageListE\" data-module data-column-count=3 data-hide-authors=\"true\" data-hide-categories=\"true\" data-hide-dates=\"true\" data-hide-descriptions=\"true\" data-show-loadmore=\"true\" ><a class=\"AnchorLink\" id=\"list-c90005\" name=\"list-c90005\"></a><div class=\"PageList-header\" > <div class=\"PageList-header-title-wrap\" > <div class=\"PageList-header-title\"> <a class=\"\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs\" target=\"{borderColor=#dfdfdf, pageCount=4576, pageNumber=1, titleUrl=https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs, inverseColors=false, footerBgColor=#000000, title=Latest on the Cubs, bodyFont=font-3, showListNumbers=false, imagePositionHorizontal=null, rteBodyFont=font-3, pagination=[{body=[Next Page], href=?p=2, _template=/link/Link.hbs, contentId=null, pianoSectionSlug=null, target=null}], headerBottomBorderColor=#111010, subTitle=null, stickyHeader=true, listTitleColor=#000000, tableCellBorderColor=#ccd1d5, relatedListFont=font-1, hideAuthors=true, tertiaryTextColor=#6c6c6c, buttonHoverTextColor=#ffffff, tableFont=font-1, carouselAutoPlay=false, promoTitleFont=font-2, ctaButtonText=[], primaryTextColor=#2a2a2a, buttonTextColor=#ffffff, linkTextColor=#1a1a1a, hideTitles=false, footerLinkColor=#ffffff, count=13727, carouselSpeed=null, buttonHoverBgColor=#a91d23, rteHeadingFont=font-1, secondaryColor=#656565, hideCategories=true, _template=/page/list/includes/PageList-header.hbs, font3=Arial, font4=Source-serif-4, ctaUrl=null, hideImage=false, pullQuoteIcon=[{image=null, narrowImage=null, _template=/image/Image.hbs, alt=null}], footerLinkHoverColor=#d3242c, _styledTemplate=/page/list/PageListE.hbs, hideAudioPlayback=false, description=[], listColumns234=null, showSecondItemMedia=false, footerTextColor=#ffffff, hideDescriptions=true, headerSecondaryBgColor=#000000, primaryTextColorInverse=#ffffff, titleColor=null, ampLink=null, listHeaderPosition=null, showActionBar=true, linkHoverColor=#d3242c, buttonBgColor=#d3242c, ctaTarget=null, suppressPagination=false, promoButtonText=null, backgroundColor=null, headerSecondaryTextColor=#ffffff, anchorId=list-c90005, listTitleFont=font-2, headlineFont=font-1, promoDescriptionFont=font-3, primaryColor=#d3242c, items=[{type=Image, categoryUrl=https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs, category=[{items=[Cubs]}], _styledTemplate=null, imageAlignment=null, isFeatured=false, description=[{items=[Cabrera made his first Cactus League start Friday.]}], anchorId=promo-fe0000, target=null, timestamp=1772233191000, media=[{image={src=https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/a5/23/1758d82d43b29f2a1d883e6ed32d/st26-cabrera-02-f27.jpg, width=4200, height=2800}, alt=ST26-cabrera-02-f27.jpg, ampLink=null, _styledTemplate=null, _template=/image/Image.hbs, narrowImage={src=https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/a5/23/1758d82d43b29f2a1d883e6ed32d/st26-cabrera-02-f27.jpg, width=4200, height=2800}}], primaryMediaType=null, url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2026/02/27/how-cubs-hope-to-maximize-pitcher-edward-cabreras-talents-this-spring, ampLink=null, authors=[{authorPageUrl=https://chicago.suntimes.com/authors/maddie-lee, name=[{items=[Maddie Lee]}], ampLink=null, _styledTemplate=null, _template=/author/byline/AuthorByline.hbs, bio=[], media=[], jobTitle=[{items=[Chicago Cubs reporter]}]}], wordCount=668, audio=[], title=How Cubs hope to maximize pitcher Edward Cabrera's talents this spring, audioDuration=null, publishDate=February 27, 2026 04:59 PM, _template=/page/promo/PagePromo.hbs}, {type=Image, categoryUrl=https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs, media=[{narrowImage={src=https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/e9/be/970d4da94ef6b4b1a13805179a16/2149341984.jpg, width=7132, height=4755}, ampLink=null, _styledTemplate=null, _template=/image/Image.hbs, image={src=https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/e9/be/970d4da94ef6b4b1a13805179a16/2149341984.jpg, width=7132, height=4755}, alt=Houston Astros v Chicago Cubs}], _styledTemplate=null, imageAlignment=null, anchorId=promo-fe0001, isFeatured=false, wordCount=591, description=[{items=[Long before they reunited with the Cubs, Bregman and Swanson were teammates for one memorable summer.]}], target=null, primaryMediaType=null, category=[{items=[Cubs]}], url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2026/02/26/cubs-alex-bregmans-and-dansby-swansons-careers-have-long-run-parallel-now-theyve-converged-for-a-second-time, authors=[{authorPageUrl=https://chicago.suntimes.com/authors/maddie-lee, ampLink=null, _styledTemplate=null, _template=/author/byline/AuthorByline.hbs, bio=[], media=[], jobTitle=[{items=[Chicago Cubs reporter]}], name=[{items=[Maddie Lee]}]}], timestamp=1772159379000, ampLink=null, title=Cubs' Alex Bregman and Dansby Swanson's careers have run parallel — now they've converged for a second time, audio=[], audioDuration=null, _template=/page/promo/PagePromo.hbs, publishDate=February 26, 2026 08:29 PM}, {type=Image, url=https://chicago.suntimes.com/mlb/2026/02/26/mlb-umpire-bruce-froemming-who-called-milt-pappas-no-hitter-for-the-cubs-dies-at-age-86, category=[{items=[MLB]}], _styledTemplate=null, description=[{items=[Froemming called a record 11 major-league no-hitters over his 37 season career.]}], imageAlignment=null, timestamp=1772154485000, categoryUrl=https://chicago.suntimes.com/mlb, isFeatured=false, anchorId=promo-fe0002, authors=[{authorPageUrl=https://chicago.suntimes.com/authors/associated-press, ampLink=null, _styledTemplate=null, jobTitle=[], _template=/author/byline/AuthorByline.hbs, bio=[{items=[The Associated Press is an independent, not-for-profit news cooperative headquartered in New York City. Its teams in over 100 countries tell the world’s stories, from breaking news to investigative reporting.]}], media=[{narrowImage={src=https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/d1/88/7112e7cfa94944d87224e36ff8ff/ap-icon-512x512-0.png, width=512, height=512}, image={src=https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/d1/88/7112e7cfa94944d87224e36ff8ff/ap-icon-512x512-0.png, width=512, height=512}, ampLink=null, _styledTemplate=null, _template=/image/Image.hbs, alt=ap-icon-512x512-0.png}], name=[{items=[AP]}]}], wordCount=360, target=null, primaryMediaType=null, title=MLB umpire Bruce Froemming, who called Milt Pappas' no-hitter for the Cubs, dies at age 86, ampLink=null, media=[{image={src=https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/e7/ad/b5360f384573ac17f653a94cfbba/white-sox-athletics.JPG, width=1760, height=1052}, ampLink=null, _styledTemplate=null, _template=/image/Image.hbs, narrowImage={src=https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/e7/ad/b5360f384573ac17f653a94cfbba/white-sox-athletics.JPG, width=1760, height=1052}, alt=The White Sox's Joe Crede argues with third base umpire Bruce Froemming during a 2005 game against the Athletics in Oakland, California.}], audio=[], publishDate=February 26, 2026 07:08 PM, audioDuration=null, _template=/page/promo/PagePromo.hbs}], slimFooter=false, hideHeadline=false, hideDates=true, headerBorderColor=#e9e9e9, ratingCardFont=font-1, titleTarget=null, tableCaptionColor=#626262, mobileCarousel=false, tableEvenRowsBgColor=#f9f8f3, containerTitleFont=font-2, listBorderColor=#dfdfdf, defaultArticleLeadStyle=standard, _parentFiles=[/page/list/includes/PageList-header.hbs]}\">Latest on the Cubs</a> </div> </div> </div> <div class=\"PageListE-items\"> <div class=\"PageListE-items-item\"> <div class=\"PagePromoB\"data-align-top> <div class=\"PagePromo-media\"><a class=\"Link\" aria-label=\"How Cubs hope to maximize pitcher Edward Cabrera's talents this spring\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2026/02/27/how-cubs-hope-to-maximize-pitcher-edward-cabreras-talents-this-spring\" ><picture data-crop=\"medium-4x3\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/7185a27/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4183x2800+17+0/resize/490x328!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fa5%2F23%2F1758d82d43b29f2a1d883e6ed32d%2Fst26-cabrera-02-f27.jpg\"/> <source width=\"490\" height=\"328\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/6db4ec3/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4183x2800+17+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fa5%2F23%2F1758d82d43b29f2a1d883e6ed32d%2Fst26-cabrera-02-f27.jpg\"/> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"ST26-cabrera-02-f27.jpg\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/6db4ec3/2147483647/strip/true/crop/4183x2800+17+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fa5%2F23%2F1758d82d43b29f2a1d883e6ed32d%2Fst26-cabrera-02-f27.jpg\"> </picture> </a></div> <div class=\"PagePromoB-content\"> <div class=\"PagePromo-category\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs\" >Cubs</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-title\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2026/02/27/how-cubs-hope-to-maximize-pitcher-edward-cabreras-talents-this-spring\" >How Cubs hope to maximize pitcher Edward Cabrera's talents this spring</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-description\">Cabrera made his first Cactus League start Friday.</div> <div class=\"PagePromo-byline\"><div class=\"PagePromo-date\"> <bsp-timestamp data-timestamp=1772233191000 data-promo=\"true\"> <template data-date-tpl>[month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]</template> <span data-date> </span> </bsp-timestamp><span class=\"dot\"></span></div> <div class=\"PagePromo-author\"> <span>By </span><strong><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/authors/maddie-lee\" >Maddie Lee </a></strong> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-readingTime\"> <span class=\"dot-divider\"></span> <svg class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-icon\"> <use xlink:href=\"#icon-clock-reading\"></use> </svg> <span class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-text\"> <bsp-time-to-read data-article-word-count=\"668\"></bsp-time-to-read> read </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class=\"PageListE-items-item\"> <div class=\"PagePromoB\"data-align-top> <div class=\"PagePromo-media\"><a class=\"Link\" aria-label=\"Cubs' Alex Bregman and Dansby Swanson's careers have run parallel — now they've converged for a second time\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2026/02/26/cubs-alex-bregmans-and-dansby-swansons-careers-have-long-run-parallel-now-theyve-converged-for-a-second-time\" ><picture data-crop=\"medium-4x3\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/ea9566d/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7104x4755+28+0/resize/490x328!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fe9%2Fbe%2F970d4da94ef6b4b1a13805179a16%2F2149341984.jpg\"/> <source width=\"490\" height=\"328\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/797d6ec/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7104x4755+28+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fe9%2Fbe%2F970d4da94ef6b4b1a13805179a16%2F2149341984.jpg\"/> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"Houston Astros v Chicago Cubs\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/797d6ec/2147483647/strip/true/crop/7104x4755+28+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fe9%2Fbe%2F970d4da94ef6b4b1a13805179a16%2F2149341984.jpg\"> </picture> </a></div> <div class=\"PagePromoB-content\"> <div class=\"PagePromo-category\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs\" >Cubs</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-title\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/cubs/2026/02/26/cubs-alex-bregmans-and-dansby-swansons-careers-have-long-run-parallel-now-theyve-converged-for-a-second-time\" >Cubs' Alex Bregman and Dansby Swanson's careers have run parallel — now they've converged for a second time</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-description\">Long before they reunited with the Cubs, Bregman and Swanson were teammates for one memorable summer.</div> <div class=\"PagePromo-byline\"><div class=\"PagePromo-date\"> <bsp-timestamp data-timestamp=1772159379000 data-promo=\"true\"> <template data-date-tpl>[month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]</template> <span data-date> </span> </bsp-timestamp><span class=\"dot\"></span></div> <div class=\"PagePromo-author\"> <span>By </span><strong><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/authors/maddie-lee\" >Maddie Lee </a></strong> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-readingTime\"> <span class=\"dot-divider\"></span> <svg class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-icon\"> <use xlink:href=\"#icon-clock-reading\"></use> </svg> <span class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-text\"> <bsp-time-to-read data-article-word-count=\"591\"></bsp-time-to-read> read </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class=\"PageListE-items-item\"> <div class=\"PagePromoB\"data-align-top> <div class=\"PagePromo-media\"><a class=\"Link\" aria-label=\"MLB umpire Bruce Froemming, who called Milt Pappas' no-hitter for the Cubs, dies at age 86\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/mlb/2026/02/26/mlb-umpire-bruce-froemming-who-called-milt-pappas-no-hitter-for-the-cubs-dies-at-age-86\" ><picture data-crop=\"medium-4x3\"> <source type=\"image/webp\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/20c8f94/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1572x1052+0+0/resize/490x328!/format/webp/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fe7%2Fad%2Fb5360f384573ac17f653a94cfbba%2Fwhite-sox-athletics.JPG\"/> <source width=\"490\" height=\"328\" srcset=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/6b9b102/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1572x1052+0+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fe7%2Fad%2Fb5360f384573ac17f653a94cfbba%2Fwhite-sox-athletics.JPG\"/> <img class=\"Image\" alt=\"The White Sox's Joe Crede argues with third base umpire Bruce Froemming during a 2005 game against the Athletics in Oakland, California.\" width=\"490\" height=\"328\" src=\"https://cst.brightspotcdn.com/dims4/default/6b9b102/2147483647/strip/true/crop/1572x1052+0+0/resize/490x328!/quality/90/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fchorus-production-cst-web.s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com%2Fbrightspot%2Fe7%2Fad%2Fb5360f384573ac17f653a94cfbba%2Fwhite-sox-athletics.JPG\"> </picture> </a></div> <div class=\"PagePromoB-content\"> <div class=\"PagePromo-category\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/mlb\" >MLB</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-title\"> <a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/mlb/2026/02/26/mlb-umpire-bruce-froemming-who-called-milt-pappas-no-hitter-for-the-cubs-dies-at-age-86\" >MLB umpire Bruce Froemming, who called Milt Pappas' no-hitter for the Cubs, dies at age 86</a> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-description\">Froemming called a record 11 major-league no-hitters over his 37 season career.</div> <div class=\"PagePromo-byline\"><div class=\"PagePromo-date\"> <bsp-timestamp data-timestamp=1772154485000 data-promo=\"true\"> <template data-date-tpl>[month] [day], [year], [hour]:[minute][ampm] [timezone]</template> <span data-date> </span> </bsp-timestamp><span class=\"dot\"></span></div> <div class=\"PagePromo-author\"> <span>By </span><strong><a class=\"Link\" href=\"https://chicago.suntimes.com/authors/associated-press\" >AP </a></strong> </div> <div class=\"PagePromo-readingTime\"> <span class=\"dot-divider\"></span> <svg class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-icon\"> <use xlink:href=\"#icon-clock-reading\"></use> </svg> <span class=\"PagePromo-readingTime-text\"> <bsp-time-to-read data-article-word-count=\"360\"></bsp-time-to-read> read </span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </bsp-listcarousel><p></p>",
  "title": "Cubs' Michael Conforto 'motivated' by 2025 disappointments",
  "updatedAt": "2026-02-28T01:07:27.876Z"
}