The Mets‘ first game of the 2026 season was so exciting and so well-executed that it’s tough to be too critical about the state of affairs in Queens. So far, the position switches have been effective defensively.

There was a hard hit to third base in the Opening Day win that challenged newly converted third baseman Bo Bichette. Jorge Polanco made a few tough plays and a nice recovery at first base.

“There was one that was 113-114 that was one-hopped to Bo. It was good to see because you can’t replicate that type of exit velocity off a fungo,” manager Carlos Mendoza said Saturday at Citi Field. “For him to kind of get a feel for what it looks like, what it feels like when you’ve got 114 coming at you there. It’s a completely different look than shortstop, and I don’t think he had one of those in spring training, so it was good for him to see that.”

Polanco, a veteran middle infielder and third baseman, is still adjusting, especially with the speed of the game. He has yet to make any tough picks, but some of those will come from experience.

“I think it’s just more like the feel for the game,” Mendoza said. “Positioning, continuing to receive throws from the infielders.”

It was a clean defensive game all around. The Mets know that ultimately mistakes will be made, but they hope to build on the performance.

With a nine-game stretch beginning Saturday against the Pittsburgh Pirates, the team is starting to plan for pitching and playing time. Nolan McLean will make his first home start Sunday in the series finale against the Pirates, and Brett Baty will likely make his first start of the season on the field. The Mets plan to start moving him around the infield and getting him time in the outfield starting Sunday.

With Bichette being a right-handed hitter, the Mets could use the left-handed Baty at third base and DH Bichette. That leaves right-handed Mark Vientos as the odd man out, something Mendoza addressed with him. Vientos may not get into a game until the series finale in St. Louis on Wednesday.

“It’s a completely different role, especially for Mark Vientos, but I also told him, ‘Look, man, two years ago, you had your best year here and the first six weeks you were in Triple-A. You came here, hit a walk-off home run, the next day we were sending you back to the minor leagues, and you had the best year,’” Mendoza said. “So he understands, and he’ll be ready for whenever his name is called.”

Vientos hit .266 with an .837 OPS and 27 home runs in 2024. The Mets opted not to carry him on the roster early in the season, even with J.D. Martinez ramping up in the minor leagues. Last year, Vientos struggled, hitting only .233 with 17 home runs. He had only two hits in spring training, a double and a home run.

The Mets aren’t worried about his bat just yet, but it could be challenging for him to have inconsistent playing time this season.