According to Jose de Jesus Ortiz of the Houston Chronicle, the Mets have claimed right-hander Fernando Nieve off irrevocable waivers from the Astros.
Nieve squeezed in just 10 2/3 innings last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2007. He could be used in middle relief in New York, but will need a really nice showing over the last few weeks of spring training to make the squad. Nieve posted a 4.20 ERA over 96 1/3 innings during the 2006 season.
