Bichette Adjusts to Third Base in Mets' Spring Training

The All-Star shortstop is learning the new position as he prepares for the upcoming season.

Feb. 22, 2026 at 2:49am

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Bo Bichette, the Mets' new third baseman, made his first Grapefruit League appearance at the hot corner on Saturday. Bichette, a career shortstop, is working to get comfortable at the new position, focusing on aspects like reading the ball off the bat, handling in-game scenarios, and making quick decisions on plays. While he had a mixed performance with a strong throw but an errant one, the Mets are encouraged by Bichette's progress as he transitions to third base this spring.

Why it matters

Bichette's move to third base is a key part of the Mets' offseason plans, as they look to get his bat in the lineup while also addressing their need for a third baseman. How quickly Bichette adapts to the new position could have a significant impact on the team's success in the upcoming season.

The details

In Saturday's game, Bichette had two notable plays at third base. In the fourth inning, he made a strong backhand catch on a chopper but his throw across the diamond hit the runner, allowing a run to score. Earlier, he was unable to reach a hard-hit line drive. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza noted that Bichette's positioning and engagement were good, and that the team expects him to continue improving as he gets more reps at the position during spring training.

  • Bichette entered Saturday's Grapefruit League game, his first game action at third base.
  • In the fourth inning, Bichette made a play on a chopper and threw across the diamond, but the throw hit the runner.

The players

Bo Bichette

A career shortstop who is transitioning to third base for the Mets this spring.

Carlos Mendoza

The Mets' manager, who is overseeing Bichette's transition to third base.

Jacob Marsee

A Marlins player who hit a hard line drive that Bichette was unable to reach.

Connor Norby

A Marlins player who hit a chopper that Bichette fielded and threw across the diamond, but the throw hit Norby.

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What they’re saying

“Getting comfortable with like a hot smash is something that I probably have to work on more. That's one play you definitely don't really get at short that much, and even if you do, you're so far back, you have a lot of time to react to it. So that's something I'm looking forward to seeing how I handle it.”

— Bo Bichette

“He took a very good angle there. I think it's just more — especially here in spring training with some of the hard fields that we're going to be playing on — like the in-between hops. On that one, he created a long hop, which was the right play.”

— Carlos Mendoza, Mets Manager

What’s next

Bichette will continue to get reps at third base throughout spring training as he works to become more comfortable at the position. The Mets will be closely monitoring his progress and adjustments.

The takeaway

Bichette's transition to third base is a work in progress, but the Mets are encouraged by his early efforts and believe he has the athleticism and instincts to adapt to the new position. With more game experience and coaching, he should continue to improve and become a valuable asset for the team at the hot corner.