Mets Make Decision On Moving Bo Bichette After Injury Update
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JANUARY 21: Bo Bichette #19 of the New York Mets speaks to media during an introductory press conference after signing a contract with the New York Mets at Citi Field on January 21, 2026 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)
Getty Images
The New York Mets have endured a roller coaster offseason since missing the playoffs last year.
The team said goodbye to several long-term stars and welcomed a collection of new ones. Pete Alonso, Edwin Diaz, Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil have left the Mets. And Freddie Peralta, Jorge Polanco, Marcus Semien and Devin Williams have all joined.
And now, as Spring Training gets underway, the team has been forced to say goodbye to another long-term star, at least temporarily.
New York Mets Lose Superstar Infielder After Injury
“New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor will undergo surgery on his left hamate Wednesday and will miss at least six weeks, manager Carlos Mendoza said,” according to ESPN’s Jorge Castillo. “Mendoza and president of baseball operations David Stearns said Lindor has dealt with pain in the hamate, which is on the lower outside edge of the hand, in the past, but he played through the discomfort before it dissipated. This time, however, the team grew concerned when Lindor recently communicated pain so early in the year, prompting a visit with a specialist to evaluate the injury Wednesday.”
With a typical recovery period of six weeks, Lindor could return to the Mets by Opening Day. And, if not, he should be back in the lineup shortly afterward.
New York Mets Skipper Carlos Mendoza Says Bo Bichette Move Off The Table
But the injury update raised the question of who the Mets might slide into the shortstop role if Lindor does miss the start of the season. After the team’s whirlwind winter, it might have seemed like the answer was obvious, as the Mets acquired long-time Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette with a three-year, $126 million contract.
But when asked if he would consider moving Bichette into Lindor’s position, Mendoza indicated that he’s already decided that such a change won’t be an option.
“As of right now, that’s not on the table,” Mendoza said, noting that the priority is to get Bichette comfortable for a move to third base, according to NJ Advance Media’s Max Goodman.
Bichette only ever started a regular season game in the shortstop spot or as a designated hitter in his seven-year career with the Blue Jays. He did return from injury to man second base during last year’s World Series and seemed to handle it well, so a move to third base seems like something he can acclimate to as well.
And if his new skipper doesn’t want to move him back to his old position even if Lindor takes longer than expected to recover, the Mets could go with bench options Vidal Brujan or Ronny Mauricio instead.
