Juan Soto Will Switch Outfield Positions for Mets to Open 2026 MLB Season, Updated Lineup

The New York Mets are making some outfield changes ahead of the 2026 MLB season.

Juan Soto will play in left field this season, Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns told reporters Tuesday.

The Mets are set to place Luis Robert Jr., recently acquired in a trade with the Chicago White Sox, at center field.

Carson Benge, Brett Baty, Tyrone Taylor and MJ Melendez are all options to take over for Soto at right field, Stearns said Tuesday.

Here's a look at a projected Mets defensive alignment following Tuesday's news.

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SS: Francisco Lindor

1B: Jorge Polanco

2B: Marcus Semien

3B: Bo Bichette

C: Francisco Alvarez

RF: Carson Benge, Brett Baty, Tyrone Taylor or MJ Melendez

CF: Luis Robert Jr.

LF: Juan Soto

DH: Brett Baty (dependent on RF competition)

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Soto will also be playing left field for the Dominican Republic during the upcoming World Baseball Classic, Stearns noted.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said Tuesday he first started talking about Soto about potentially playing left field in late December.

"He's like, 'I'm willing to do whatever. If you want me to pitch, Mendy, I'll pitch,'" Mendoza joked.

Mendoza continued, "Roster construction, what were the pieces, and things like that. It just got to a point where it made more sense for us to just go ahead and do it."

The Mets could be hoping that moving Soto will result in some improvements in the club's outfield defense. Soto recorded minus-12 outs above average in right field last season, per Baseball Savant.

Stearns said during Tuesday's press conference the Mets "feel like we've got pretty good options" to take over for Soto on the right side.

One of those options is Benge, who was listed as a non-roster invite on the 2026 spring training roster released by the Mets on Monday.

Benge, who slashed .281/.385/.472 through 116 games at three minor-league levels last season, is listed as the No. 16 prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline.

"We've been consistent throughout the offseason that Carson's going to come to camp with a chance to make our team. That remains the same," Stearns said Tuesday. "He's played a lot of right field during his time in the minor leagues. We're confident with him out there."

Benge will now get the chance to begin competing for a spot in right field when the Mets open Grapefruit League play on Feb. 21 against the Miami Marlins in Port St. Lucie, Florida.

The Opening Day lineup could shift again, depending on the health of Francisco Lindor, who Stearns said would undergo testing Wednesday for a stress reaction in his left hamate bone.

If the injury necessitates surgery, Lindor would be facing a six-week recovery timeline that could still have him ready to go by Opening Day, according to Stearns.