Bo Bichette played 716 games at shortstop during seven standout MLB seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays.

But when he signed a three-year, $126 million free-agent deal to join the New York Mets in the offseason, Bichette knew he would have to change positions.

That’s because the Mets already had one of the game’s best shortstops in Francisco Lindor. Bichette moved over to third base and prepared for life at the hot corner.

MORE: Braves forced to send superstar back on IL amid MLB’s best start

Like so many aspects of the New York Mets’ 2026 season, things haven’t gone as planned. Lindor is out with a left calf strain. Then, on Saturday, Lindor’s backup, Ronny Mauricio, fractured his thumb.

When the Mets shared their lineup for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Angels, Bichette was back at his familiar shortstop position.

Mets, Bichette start poorly

On Sunday, the Mets officially placed Mauricio on the 10-day injured list and recalled third baseman Vidal Brujan from Syracuse.

Bichette, who took over for Mauricio at shortstop at the end of Saturday’s extra-inning loss to the Angels, is off to a slow start. He is slashing .237/.276/.319 with two home runs and 15 RBIs. Bichette has made just two errors at third base.

After Saturday’s game, Bichette embraced the move back to shortstop.

“Whatever the team needs,” he said, per ESPN.

The Mets, too, are struggling to say the least. New York owns baseball’s worst record at 11-22, two games worse than their nearest competitors in the Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants and Boston Red Sox.

What it means for Mets

Ultimately, the Mets want to get Lindor back in the lineup and return Bichette to third base. Lindor is expected back later this month or in early June.

Until then, New York will turn to Brett Baty, who is in the lineup on Sunday, and Brujan at third base. Baty has played 248 games at the position during his five seasons with the Mets. First baseman Mark Vientos has third-base experience as well.