Long-time MLB lefty Jon Niese will try to revive his career with an independent ball stint. He has signed on with the Long Island Ducks, per a club announcement.
Niese hasn’t appeared at any level in the past two seasons. When last he did pitch in the affiliated ranks, back in 2016, he struggled to a 5.50 ERA in 121 frames and packed up early after knee surgery. Most recently, a 2018 spring audition with the Rangers ended when Niese was released after being diagnosed with a sub scapularis muscle strain.
Despite that unfortunate run, there could be hope yet for Niese to get things going. He’s still just 32 years of age, after all, and had worked to a 3.91 ERA over 1,068 1/3 innings with the Mets between 2008 and 2015. If Niese shows well, he could be the latest pitcher to use the Atlantic League as a launching pad to the majors.
As a Mets fan who watched you mature and whinced in pain that time you took a warm-up pitch and fell off the mound in agony, I wish you the best of luck and thank you for everything, Jon!
Yanks.
Go Ducks.
“Jon Niese” and “launching pad” go together so well, no matter what team or league he’s pitching for.
That Neil Walker trade looks better and better all the time. SMH.
Niese actually was pitching ok till his knee went out on him in Pittsburgh. Walker did his usual time on the DL (what it was called when Neil was on it then but know called the IL) during what was left on his contract with the Pirates. Pretty much of a push with the amount of time lost by Walker.
Walker missed maybe 30 games with the Mets the first year at $10M and about the same the next year at $16.8 M.He played for $2.5M last year with a shortened season with the Yankees.All told,about $9.8 M a year which would have been too rich for the Pirates with his annual back injuries.
Niese was the picture of consistency with the Mets,but fell apart with Pittsburgh after his injury.
The Pirates I believe promised Harrison a chance to play one position and saw second base as that opportunity.
This is the man that got rhinoplasty on his nose due to Carlos Beltran suggesting it. He was also famous for blaming his defense on his poor starts.
The Pirates did pretty well in anticipating when to move on from Walker because I think they felt Neil was going to start to wear down and also not be able to handle second base much longer. It turned out to be maybe a season too soon, but better a bit too soon than too late. I understood the trade at the time even though I was never a fan of Niese. At first I think Niese did OK until he got hurt, after he returned he was just horrible.
that a hockey team?
If Big Sexy Colon signs with the Ducks, do they become the Whales?????
No they become the manatees. He big AND sexy.
LOL!
They’re just an Independent League team, they couldn’t afford the locker room spread it would take to appease Big Sloppi…
I am shocked that Niese is only 32…
San Francisco would probably lose to these Ducks characters, but I can see them giving Jon a call sometime around June.
Heard Jessica Mendoza is scouting him.
Congrats Jon, that World Series run in 2015 was great! You will always have a place in mets fans hearts… Best wishes