The Mets enter the 2026 MLB season with a new depth chart at first base after Pete Alonso's departure, and Mark Vientos is among the players involved.
Vientos batted second and started at first in Sunday's spring training game at the Yankees' George M. Steinbrenner Field in Tampa, Fla., and played five innings.
"Pretty good," he said of his progress at first base. "Felt good to get my feet wet for the first game. Got a play at the end of the game, which was nice. But felt good. Felt good to be out there again."
The defensive play came to end the fifth inning when Amed Rosario grounded out to Vientos, whom the Mets replaced in the batting order in the sixth inning with left fielder Nick Morabito while JT Schwartz took first base.
"I think it's just getting everyday reps over there," Vientos said. "I think, more and more you get reps, I'll for sure feel a lot more comfortable. I played first base before in the past, and it's the same thing (as third base). Only thing is you've got to cover the bag, you've got to be a little bit more aware. But I feel comfortable over there."
Vientos primarily plays third base but has a background at the position in addition to his time designated hitting.
"For sure, footwork -- I think it's just getting familiar with the bag, throws," he said. "The bag is a lot bigger, so I've got more leeway to move around, switch foot, footing and, yeah -- like I said, I'm feeling comfortable out there. ... We're covering all the things we need to get better with."
The 27-year-old is open to playing "wherever" the Mets need him.
"Wherever they want me to play, wherever I get the opportunity -- whether it's third, first, DH -- wherever it is that they want me to do, I'm fine with it," Vientos said.
"I just want to help the team win and do my best job for it."
Vientos slashed .233/.289/.413 with 17 home runs and 61 RBI in 121 games in 2025. The production was a step back from his breakout 2024 when he slashed .266/.322/.516 with 27 home runs and 71 RBI in 111 games.
"I think it's just sticking to the routine, sticking to what works, not getting away from it," said Vientos, who posted an 0-for-3 afternoon at the plate Sunday. "My routine is a very simple one, but I'd say that, last year, I started switching things up. I wasn't trusting it, and I didn't have anything that was consistent.
"If my routine is inconsistent, how are my results on the field going to be consistent? So, that's all I'm focused on when it comes to offensive side is my routine and sticking to it."