Bo Bichette made his first spring training appearance at third base for the Mets on Feb. 17, 2026, drawing attention after a throw led to an error, but analysts say the play was expected given his inexperience at the position.

Bo Bichette made his first spring training appearance at third base for the Mets on February 17, 2026, drawing attention after a throw to first base led to an error by Jose Rojas, who was off the bag. Though the throw was slightly off-target, it was considered a reasonable attempt given Bichette’s inexperience at the position. The Mets’ move to shift him to third base follows their failure to acquire Kyle Tucker, and while Bichette has shown strong arm strength, his transition remains a work in progress. Analysts note that spring training is designed for such learning moments, and one play should not define the experiment. Bichette is adjusting to new defensive demands, including positioning and quick plays, as he prepares for a potential regular role.