It doesn’t look like the NY Mets will have much use for Mark Vientos in week one

Mark Vientos is in a weird spot with the New York Mets heading into the 2026 season. He's facing a make-or-break campaign after watching his production fall across the board last year, but he also isn't guaranteed much playing time on a reworked roster.

The signings of Bo Bichette and Jorge Polanco effectively wiped out any competition at the infield corners, which is where Vientos has spent the entirety of his career in the big leagues. There is, theoretically, some availability at the designated hitter spot, but Bretty Baty's presence means that Vientos will likely be relegated to platoon duties.

That is a role the 26-year-old can thrive in (his career wRC+ against left-handers is 105), but it does mean that he'll be riding the pine for the majority of the Mets' games this year. That's especially true during the outset of the season, when the team may not see a lefty until early April.

The Mets schedule could keep Mark Vientos stapled to bench in the early going

The Mets' first series of the season will come against the Pittsburgh Pirates' vaunted rotation featuring Paul Skenes and Mitch Keller. No matter who they throw out in the third game, Vientos likely won't see the field barring a late-game pinch-hitting situation, seeing as the Pirates' entire starting five is comprised exclusively of right-handed pitchers.

Right after that series ends, the team will travel from Queen to St. Louis. The Cardinals' back-end starters (Andre Pallante and Kyle Leahy) are both right-handed, meaning Vientos may have to wait until the sixth game of the season — when Opening Day starter Matthew Liberatore takes the mound again — to get into Carlos Mendoza's starting lineup.

The schedule won't always be this dire, but this opening slate does serve as a microcosm for what Vientos is facing this season. Righties are obviously more common than southpaws, and there are bound to be stretches where the Mets have little to no use for their former top prospect.

Of course, it's not like he earned himself more opportunities in spring training. Vientos hit an appalling .057/.108/.171 in 11 exhibition contests, which yielded a -34 wRC+. Yes, he was more than 100% worse than the average hitter this spring.

This picture could change if injuries ransack the roster or Baty or Polanco don't take kindly to their new positions. But, as things stand, Vientos is taking on the appearance of a trade asset more than a lineup stalwart in New York.