Brett Baty Named Mets' Opening Day Second Baseman Amid Positional Transition

The 25-year-old is stepping into a new role due to Jeff McNeil's injury, following a standout spring training performance.

Brett Baty made the Mets' Opening Day roster and started at second base against the Astros, marking his first major league game at the position.
The Mets are relying on Baty's left-handed power to balance their lineup while Jeff McNeil recovers from a strained oblique, expected to sideline him until late April.
Baty excelled in spring training, posting a .353 batting average and leading MLB with a 1.186 OPS, boosting his confidence heading into the regular season.
Manager Carlos Mendoza has encouraged Baty to focus on consistency and avoid feeling pressured to produce immediate results as he transitions to second base.
Baty faces competition from Luisangel Acuña for the second base role, with both players continuing to develop their skills at the position.