New faces and key departures shape the New York Mets' Opening Day roster. Can Skenes and a retooled lineup overcome last year's collapse?
The New York Mets enter the 2026 MLB season with a lot of pressure around the franchise.
Manager Carlos Mendoza returned for another season despite an unreal collapse that saw the Mets miss the postseason.
Then, the Mets watched Edwin Diaz and Pete Alonso leave in free agency, although the additions of Bo Bichette and Freddy Peralta were big moves by the franchise.
Some roster spots were up for grabs during spring training, but rookie outfielder Carson Benge was named the starting right fielder after an impressive spring.
On Wednesday, just one day before the Mets' first game of the regular season, they announced their Opening Day roster.
Pitchers
- Huascar Brazoban
- Luis Garcia
- Clay Holmes
- Richard Lovelady
- Sean Manaea
- Nolan McLean
- Tobias Myers
- Freddy Peralta
- David Peterson
- Brooks Raley
- Kodai Senga
- Luke Weaver
- Devin Willims
Peralta was acquired in a trade with the Milwaukee Brewers, and he will get the ball on Opening Day.
In other news, Manaea will piggyback to begin the season, but if he performs well, perhaps Mendoza uses a six-man rotation.
Infielders
- Brett Baty
- Bo Bichette
- Franciso Lindor
- Jorge Polanco
- Marcus Semien
- Mark Vientos
- Jared Young
The infielders have some new faces with Bichette signing in the offseason, Polanco joining in free agency after playing with the Seattle Mariners, and Semien being acquired in the trade that sent Brandon Nimmo to the Texas Rangers.
Jeff McNeil is also gone after he was dealt to the Athletics in a trade.
Another big question is the backup shortstop, but it will be Bichette, at least for now.
Catchers
- Francisco Alvarez
- Luis Torrens
The Mets will carry just two catchers to start the season, which is becoming a common trend around MLB.
Outfielders
- Carson Benge
- Luis Robert Jr.
- Juan Soto
- Tyrone Taylor
Robert was acquired in a trade with the Chicago White Sox, and the starting outfield, at least for Opening Day, should be Soto, Benge and Robert.
The final roster spots were given to utility player Jared Young and left-hander Richard Lovelady, and the latter has been released and DFAd quite a few times by the Mets, but he manages to snag a spot for the time being.
The question is this: Can this roster make the playoffs?
There are still concerns about the rotation, although Peralta coming to town is a huge boost.
Bleacher Report had the Mets at No. 3 in their pre-Opening Day power rankings, so that's encouraging.
The Mets will get a tough test right away with Paul Skenes taking the mound as the starting pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday at Citi Field.
The Mets then begin a road trip against the St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants after the Pirates series.