The New York Mets have slid from contending for the top spot in the NL East to fighting for the last Wild Card position in the National League after losing seven consecutive games, including a recent sweep by the Milwaukee Brewers. The Mets’ offensive woes have made it difficult to halt their decline, as they now rank in the lower half of the league in scoring, averaging just 4.3 runs per game.
Key players like Francisco Lindor, Brandon Nimmo, and Juan Soto have all experienced dips in performance, contributing to the team’s record of losing nine of ten games. However, Mark Vientos’ struggles have been especially notable, as his inability to maintain the momentum from his breakout 2024 season has hurt the Mets’ lineup significantly.
Mets Remove Mark Vientos From Starting Lineup Amid Ongoing Difficulties
Before the series opener against the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday, the Mets once again benched Vientos, marking the second consecutive game he was left out of the starting lineup. Brett Baty took the position at third base and batted ninth, while Vientos was absent from manager Carlos Mendoza’s lineup card during Sunday’s narrow 7–6 defeat to the Brewers.
Mark Vientos’ Position on Mets Roster Faces Uncertainty
Recently, Vientos’ inconsistent play has raised serious doubts about his future role with the team. With Pete Alonso and Starling Marte providing more dependable right-handed options at first base and designated hitter, placing Vientos in those spots is difficult to justify. Meanwhile, third base options like Baty and Ronny Mauricio have outperformed him slightly both offensively and defensively.
Despite this, Vientos still has chances to recover his form, although his opportunities to prove himself are shrinking. After debuting in 2022, he did not secure regular playing time until 2024, when he posted a strong season with a .266 batting average, .837 OPS, and 27 home runs. He was a key contributor in the postseason, helping the Mets reach the NLCS by batting .327 with 18 hits, five homers, 14 RBIs, and eight runs over 13 games.
The Mets are hoping that Vientos can recapture parts of his 2024 performance to earn a regular spot in the lineup once again.