An overlooked aspect of the Mets’ Opening Day: For one day, their corner infield experiments did not implode.
Veterans starting their first career games at new spots, Bo Bichette and Jorge Polanco held their own.
Bichette was wild with one throw from third base, but he was assisted by a nice save from fledgling first baseman Polanco, which presented the largest bit of Mets defensive drama during the win over the Pirates.
Bichette — largely a shortstop with the Blue Jays but whose declining glove meant most clubs saw the free agent as a second baseman, while the Mets (who already had traded for Marcus Semien) signed him as a third baseman — played his first career game at the position.
His initial chance was not perfect: He handled a third-inning ground ball from Henry Davis on the run and threw off-balance, bringing Polanco off first base.
But Polanco — whose big league first base experience comprised one pitch last season, shifted to the position with the Mariners just before an inning ended — looked natural, taking a step toward home plate, catching the ball and applying the tag to Davis.
Davis was up again in the seventh and smashed a 110.3 mph one-hopper to Bichette, who went to a knee and smoothly speared the ball before making a strong throw across the diamond.
Polanco also handled a few chances himself without incident.
If all goes well, there will be six more months of opportunities for the pair to seize or botch.
But a casual fan watching Thursday would not have known that the Mets were asking their corner infielders to learn positions they had rarely or never played before this spring.
“I thought they were both pretty good,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “… For them to be able to communicate from pitch to pitch, it was good to see.”
The Mets successfully passed infielder Vidal Bruján and catcher Ben Rortvedt through waivers, both outrighted and sent to Triple-A Syracuse.
Lefty Bryan Hudson was claimed by the White Sox after losing a bullpen battle to Richard Lovelady.
Syracuse opened its season Friday, which meant it finalized its roster and injured list.
Placed on the seven-day injured list were righties Adbert Alzolay, Dylan Ross and Justin Armbruester and lefty Nate Lavender.
Righty Craig Kimbrel, who continues to throw in Florida, and righty Mike Baumann were placed on the Development list.
Outfielder Mike Tauchman, who underwent surgery Thursday on the meniscus in his left knee, also was put on the seven-day IL.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
