In a surprising turn for the season’s second game, the Mets are set to field a third baseman with limited experience at that position alongside a first baseman who isn’t particularly seasoned at first base either.
During Saturday’s 4-2 win against the Pirates that extended into 11 innings, a few errors caught the eye. Bo Bichette had a slip-up, while Jorge Polanco made two errors—though he wasn’t officially charged with any.
Bichette, primarily seen as a shortstop and usually a second baseman, joined the Mets as a third baseman and is still adjusting to the role. On Thursday, one of his throws pulled Polanco off the base, yet Polanco managed to get an out regardless. Saturday saw another throw from Bichette creating a little chaos, but, fortunately, it ended up being an out. In the fourth inning, Polanco got on base along with Bryan Reynolds. David Peterson faced some challenges throughout the day, deftly navigating trouble.
“We need to keep working on his basic throws,” Coach Carlos Mendoza remarked, optimistic that more practice will yield results.
Polanco, after joining the Mets post a year as a first baseman in the majors, also didn’t have the smoothest of outings, fumbling a few ground balls. In the seventh inning, Ryan O’Hearn sent a soft grounder toward Polanco, who threw wide of Luke Weaver, although the Mets still managed an out thanks to Weaver’s swift adjustment.
Earlier, Polanco had another less-than-stellar moment when a grounder from Nick Gonzalez took an awkward bounce off the turf, leading to a hit. Peterson and Huascar Brazoban worked together to prevent Gonzalez from scoring.
“It was just a tough grounder that caught him off guard,” Mendoza noted. “What can you really do about that?”
The Mets kicked off their season on Thursday. It looks like Mark Vientos will not see his first start until next Wednesday.
Barring any changes from the Pirates or Cardinals regarding their rotation, the Mets will encounter their fifth consecutive right-handed starter. Their first lefty won’t be scheduled until the final game of the series when they face Matthew Liberatore. Meanwhile, the Giants might have lefty Robbie Ray kicking off their series.
If that’s the case, Vientos—a right-handed hitter—will have to stay patient. He pinch-hit in the tenth inning on Saturday, successfully getting a hit that contributed to the victory.
Mendoza spoke about Vientos’ situation with him and right-handed fourth outfielder Tyrone Taylor, and they both seemed to understand the circumstances.
Recalling the 2024 season, Mendoza recounted how Vientos faced challenges then—being cut late in camp, briefly called up, hitting a walk-off homer, and then sent back down—highlighting the ups and downs players often navigate.
Essentially, Mendoza’s message to Vientos was about being restless yet prepared for surprises in the game.
“Two years ago, you had a fantastic year here,” he told Vientos. “He gets it and will be ready when called upon.”
Mendoza did note that Vientos will encounter a significantly different role this year, mainly playing first base and typically stepping in as the designated hitter against left-handed pitchers. After a subpar 2025 season, where his performance at both third base and hitting dwindled, the Mets switched strategies, with Brett Batty stepping in for the first couple of games, a decision they seem poised to continue on Sunday.
Batty, who’s been getting in time at first base, will be ready to go as the Mets enter a busy stretch of nine games in nine days.
In the season opener, the Mets implemented three automatic ball strike challenges, with two successful calls by catcher Francisco Alvarez, including a critical moment that turned an O’Neal Cruz walk into a strikeout. Unfortunately, Marcus Semien had a slip-up appealing a strike call in the eighth inning.
Mendoza assured that all Mets players can attempt challenges as they see fit.
“The decision to challenge will hinge on game circumstances,” he added. “It’s easy to let emotions dictate actions, but the situation always needs consideration.”
