The Mets’ Tuesday lineup features Semien at 2B leading off, with Francisco Lindor at SS, L. Robert Jr. in CF, Bo Bichette at 3B, M. Melendez as DH, F. Alvarez catching, B. Baty in RF, M. Vientos at 1B, and C. Benge in LF. Lindor has long operated as the Mets’ typical leadoff hitter, making Semien’s new role a notable shake-up.
Semien will lead off for the first time in a Mets uniform, a role the team hopes will provide a spark as it searches for offense amid its skid. He has previously batted leadoff in other stops, but the move marks a new look atop the lineup for New York.
Offensively this season, Semien is hitting .234 with 1 home run and 8 RBIs. In the last seven games, however, he’s shown improvement, batting .318 with 2 RBIs and 2 walks in 22 at-bats.
Semien was acquired from the Texas Rangers in the offseason in exchange for Brandon Nimmo, with the Mets envisioning him as the everyday second baseman to bolster their offense. He signed a seven-year deal worth $175 million in 2021, and three seasons remain on the contract, with about $72 million left on the deal.
Manager Carlos Mendoza has stressed the lineup shake-up as an effort to snap the rough stretch and get the team back on track. The Mets, who sit near the bottom of the NL East at 7-15, will look for a turnaround starting this series with the Twins.
