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
