New York Mets Joel Sherman Why Bo Bichette is the key to the Mets pulling off this radically revamped defense By Joel Sherman Published March 10, 2026, 6:15 a.m. ET Bo Bichette warms up at third base before the Mets' exhibition game against the Nationals on Feb. 28, 2026. Corey Sipkin for the NY Post If Francisco Lindor fails to make it back quickly enough to start against the Pirates on March 26, the Mets likely will start no players at the same position on Opening Day as they did on Opening Day of 2025, March 27.
Current indicators are that Lindor is on track to heal from hamate surgery to be able to bat leadoff and play shortstop against the Pirates at Citi Field, just as he did at Houston last year. And Juan Soto is again likely to bat second, but this time playing left field rather than right.
Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo, Starling Marte and Luisangel Acuña all play on other teams now. Mark Vientos, Tyrone Taylor and Luis Torrens are still Mets, but likely to be on the bench for the opener. It is possible that Vientos, who played third base on Opening Day last year, could DH this season. However, it is more probable the Mets try to get the extra lefty bat of Brett Baty in against Pittsburgh righty ace Paul Skenes.
