Jon Niese started his second tenure with the Mets on Tuesday by trying to ensure his teammates had no beef with him.
After he was traded to Pittsburgh in December, the veteran lefty took a subtle parting shot at the Mets by saying he would appreciate “more than anything” the way the Pirates play defense. It came after a career with the Mets in which Niese often displayed his raw emotions when miscues occurred behind him.
“I know my teammates and I think they knew what I meant by what I said,” Niese said at Citi Field before the Mets faced the Yankees.