Mets' Bo Bichette not in lineup, speaks on challenge of learning third base
Photo credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
The Toronto Blue Jays are set to take on the New York Mets for the first time this spring, but fans won't see Bo Bichette in the starting lineup.
The New York Mets announced their lineup Monday, and former Toronto Blue Jays shortstop Bo Bichette's name was absent from the card.
Instead, 24-year-old Ronny Mauricio is slated to handle third base. While some Blue Jays supporters were eager to watch Bichette face his former club, that matchup will have to wait as he didnt travel with the team on Monday.
Recently, MLB.com's Randy Randhawa spoke with Bichette about the adjustment to third base after spending nearly his entire seven-year big-league career at shortstop.
«There's a lot I can learn in the game, which is really important,» Bichette said. «I'm enjoying the new challenge.»
In his Mets debut, Bichette went 0-for-2 at the plate but saw action in the field.
His first opportunity was straightforward - a routine popup off the bat of Heriberto Hernández in the second inning. The second was more demanding.
In the fourth, Miami's Connor Norby hit a ground ball that bounced behind the bag at third. Bichette retreated to field the high hop cleanly, quickly transferred the ball and fired to first.
The throw sailed up the line, however, and first baseman José Rojas couldn't secure it while stretching to keep his foot on the base. [Video below]
In his first game as a Met, Bo Bichette's throw pulls first baseman Jose Rojas off the bag, and he can't complete the tag. Bichette will be playing third base for the first time in his career this season.
Positioning remains one of the key elements Bichette is working to refine.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza noted that Bichette stayed in constant communication with the coaching staff about where to line up during Saturday's game.
«The deeper you play, the more range you have,» Bichette explained. «It depends on the situation and the hitter. You see a lot of great third basemen play as deep as they can. I'm still figuring out what that means for me.»
Ultimately, the transition will come down to repetition, and Bichette is focused on getting as many reps as possible before Opening Day.
His return to Rogers Centre - his first since departing Toronto - is expected during the Canada Day weekend series on July 1.
Also read on Blue Jays Central :
Mets vs Blue Jays: Starting Lineup - Game Preview
Mets vs Blue Jays: Starting Lineup - Game Preview
| POLL | ||
FEVRIER 23|130 ANSWERS Mets' Bo Bichette not in lineup, speaks on challenge of learning third base Do you think we will see Bo Bichette as a pinch hitter against the Blue Jays today? | ||
| Yes | 17 | 13.1 % |
| No | 100 | 76.9 % |
| Too early to tell | 13 | 10 % |
| List of polls | ||