In tonight’s lineup for the Las Vegas 51s, Jeff McNeil is slated to bat clean-up and play third base. This is his first start at third since getting called up to Triple-A.

In fact, this is the first time McNeil is starting at third base since May 10th. Since that time. McNeil has played 50 games at second base and three at shortstop.

On July 3rd, Betsy Helfand of the Las Vegas Review Journal reported McNeil had been working around the infield as well as the outfield. Las Vegas Manager Tony DeFrancesco indicated the team would begin getting McNeil games at third base.

With Phillip Evans shifting to second, it appears tonight is that night.

It should be noted McNeil playing third is an apparent departure from the Mets previous public statements.

Earlier this week when Todd Frazier landed on the disabled list, Mets manager Mickey Callaway called McNeil “purely a second baseman.”

With the trade deadline looming, it will be interesting to see if McNeil sees regular playing time at third in the coming days and weeks or if this is an isolated incident.