Mets' Brett Baty Earns Opening Day Start as Designated Hitter Brett Baty has been named the New York Mets’ Opening Day starter, set to play as the designated hitter and bat sixth in the lineup during Thursday’s season opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The decision was announced as part of the team’s preparations for the 2026 season, with Baty facing right-handed pitcher Paul Skenes in the first game. His selection over right-handed-hitting Mark Vientos highlights the Mets’ strategy to leverage Baty’s left-handed power against right-handed starters. Baty, a versatile utility player, is expected to see significant playing time in multiple positions throughout the season. While his Opening Day role is at designated hitter, he is also likely to start at first base when facing right-handed pitching. However, the team has opted to give rookie Jorge Polanco his first career start at first base in the opener, signaling a potential shift in the lineup’s dynamics. The Mets’ decision to prioritize Baty for the Opening Day start reflects his role as a key offensive contributor. His ability to hit left-handed pitching effectively makes him a valuable asset in matchups against right-handed starters, a common scenario in the National League. Baty’s inclusion in the lineup also underscores the team’s focus on maximizing his batting skills while managing the workload of other players. Beyond the Opening Day lineup, the Mets have been monitoring Baty’s progress as he continues to develop his game. Recent updates indicate he is recovering from a minor hamstring injury sustained during spring training, which has limited his playing time in recent weeks. Despite the setback, his presence in the Opening Day lineup suggests the team remains confident in his readiness to contribute at the start of the season.#new_york_mets #paul_skenes #pittsburgh_pirates #mark_vientos #brett_baty
The New York Mets are unlikely to give Mark Vientos much playing time in the early weeks of the 2026 season, as the team’s schedule and roster adjustments position him as a bench player heading into the campaign. Vientos, the Mets’ third baseman, faces a critical season after his performance declined significantly in 2025, leaving his role on the team uncertain. With the roster reshaped, he is not assured of a prominent role, especially as the team navigates a challenging early schedule. The Mets’ first series of the season will feature the Pittsburgh Pirates, whose starting rotation includes right-handed pitchers Paul Skenes and Mitch Keller. The Pirates’ entire starting five consists of right-handed hurlers, which means Vientos is unlikely to see significant action in the third game of the series unless a late-game pinch-hitting opportunity arises. This scheduling quirk could keep him sidelined for several games, limiting his chances to contribute early in the season. Following the Pirates series, the Mets will travel to St. Louis to face the Cardinals, whose back-end starters, Andre Pallante and Kyle Leahy, are also right-handed. This further extends Vientos’ bench time, as the team may not need him until the sixth game of the season. At that point, Opening Day starter Matthew Liberatore will be on the mound, potentially giving Vientos a chance to enter the lineup. However, the timing of his opportunities remains uncertain, as the Mets’ schedule and pitching staff composition may continue to restrict his playing time in the opening weeks. Vientos’ situation highlights the challenges of adapting to a restructured roster and the impact of scheduling decisions on a player’s role.#new_york_mets #paul_skenes #pittsburgh_pirates #mark_vientos #mitch_keller
Mets' Mark Vientos: Absent from Opening Day Lineup Mark Vientos will not be part of the New York Mets’ Opening Day lineup for Thursday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The decision comes as the team plans to start right-hander Paul Skenes on the mound for the Pirates. In the batting order, first baseman Jorge Polanco and left-handed-hitting designated hitter Brett Baty have been named to the starting lineup. Vientos, a right-handed hitter, is expected to remain on the bench against right-handed pitchers, as the Mets aim to leverage platoon advantages. However, the team has indicated that Vientos may not be a regular option in such scenarios due to his limited effectiveness against right-handed pitching. The absence of Vientos from the Opening Day lineup highlights the Mets’ strategic approach to balancing their roster. While Polanco provides stability at first base, Baty’s left-handed bat adds an element of versatility against right-handed starters. Vientos’ potential role as a platoon bat remains uncertain, with the team likely monitoring his performance during spring training before making long-term decisions. The decision to bench him for the opener underscores the importance of matchups in shaping the initial lineup. Vientos’ absence also reflects the broader context of the Mets’ roster management, as they continue to evaluate player roles and optimize their offensive strategy. The team’s focus on platoon advantages suggests a calculated effort to maximize the strengths of their hitters while mitigating weaknesses. This approach aligns with the competitive nature of Major League Baseball, where small adjustments can have significant impacts on game outcomes.#new_york_mets #paul_skenes #pittsburgh_pirates #mark_vientos #jorge_polanco
