Mets Announce Brett Baty News on Monday

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Hugh Green | Last updated Mar 30, 2026 4:55 PM ET

New York Mets utility man Brett Baty has had an up-and-down start to his career in Major League Baseball. Playing in his fifth season in the majors, Baty has a career slash line of .233/.295/.373 with an OPS of .668, totaling 33 home runs and 108 RBIs in 302 games.

He was taken 12th overall by the Mets in the 2019 MLB Draft and rose up the minor leagues to make his MLB debut during the 2022 season.

The 26-year-old Round Rock, Texas, native is coming off the best season of his young career in 2025. Last year, he played 130 games, batting .254 with a .748 OPS to go along with 18 long balls and 50 RBIs, all of which were career highs.

New York Mets designated hitter Brett Baty (7) against the Pittsburgh Pirates.© Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Through the first three games of the 2026 season, while the Mets have gone 2-1, Baty has been a big help. He's gone 4-for-13 at the plate, slugging at a .462 clip, with one triple and three runs driven in.

In those three games, Baty has started at first base in one of them and designated hitter in the other two. This has been somewhat of a change for him, as he has primarily been a third baseman early in his career, playing 245 games at the position.

On Monday, the Mets announced their lineup for their game against the St. Louis Cardinals, and Baty was listed as the starting right fielder. This marks the first time he has played the position in the majors.

Clay Day #LGM pic.twitter.com/7DOzk6Q4Dd
— New York Mets (@Mets) March 30, 2026

He has played the outfield once, which came in left field during the 2023 season, but Monday night's game will be Baty's first taste in the right field position.

Before Monday, New York had started rookie Carson Benge at right field in all three games. However, with Luis Robert Jr. out of the lineup against the Cardinals, Benge is sliding to center field, and Baty is taking the corner outfield spot.

First pitch on Monday between the Mets and Cardinals is scheduled for 7:45 p.m. ET.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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