Toronto Baseball Insider has no direct affiliation to the Toronto Blue Jays or MLB

New York Mets make announcement concerning Bo Bichette ahead of Toronto Blue Jays matchup


Victor William
Feb 23, 2026  (10:16)
New York Mets third baseman Bo Bichette (19) looks on against the Miami Marlins during the third inning at Clover Park.
Photo credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

The New York Mets announced this morning that they will not be dressing Bo Bichette for their game against the Toronto Blue Jays today.

The buzz around the complex was electric this morning as fans hoped to see a beloved familiar face.
Everyone circling this matchup on the calendar wanted to witness the superstar infielder facing his old Toronto teammates.
But Carlos Mendoza keeping his prized offseason acquisition back at the home facility is exactly what elite managers do.
Spring training is a marathon designed to build endurance rather than a sprint to settle emotional scores.
Bo Bichette isn’t in the Mets’ lineup today in Dunedin, for those wondering.

This was an obvious one, though, so don’t view it as anything out of the ordinary. Veterans and guys on big contracts almost never make the cross-state trips to play.
Sitting out a grueling cross-state bus ride is the standard operating procedure for established franchise cornerstones.
Guys holding massive new contracts simply do not need to risk early fatigue or tightness on long highway trips.

The Mets are protecting their massive championship investment

Seeing the lineup card without his name gave me a huge sigh of relief as a fan wanting a deep playoff run.
We want him fresh and explosive for the games that actually count in the major league standings.
Bo Bichette (Drafted Round 2, 2016 by Toronto Blue Jays) has nothing left to prove on a random February afternoon.
The incredible slugger just delivered a phenomenal .311 batting average and an .840 OPS last season.
He brings 18 home runs of pure offensive firepower to a New York lineup desperate for consistent run production.
Taking reps on the back fields in Port St. Lucie allows him to refine his defensive mechanics in a controlled environment.
He gets to dial in his swing timing without the distraction of media circuses or emotional reunions.
This calculated approach to rest shows a front office that completely understands the physical toll of a full season.
New York is building a strong foundation for fall baseball through smart and preventative spring decisions.
Every single choice the coaching staff makes right now is about lifting that trophy at the end of the year.
Let the kids ride the bus while the superstars prepare their bodies for the bright lights of October.
POLL
FEVRIER 23|360 ANSWERS
New York Mets make announcement concerning Bo Bichette ahead of Toronto Blue Jays matchup

Are you upset the Mets are resting Bo Bichette ?

Yes8623.9 %
No27476.1 %
List of polls

BLUE JAYS INSIDER
COPYRIGHT @2026 - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
TERMS OF SERVICE - PRIVACY POLICY - COOKIE POLICY
RSS FEED - SITEMAP - ROBOTS.TXT