Mets Sign LHP Jonathon Niese To A Five-Year Extension

FLUSHING, N.Y., April 7, 2012 – The New York Mets today announced the team has signed lefthanded pitcher Jonathon Niese to a five-year contract extension with two additional club option years that could keep him in a Mets uniform through 2018.

Niese, 25, went 11-11 with a 4.40 ERA in 27 games, 26 starts last year with the Mets. In 157.1 innings, he allowed 178 hits, 88 runs, 77 earned, with 44 walks and 138 strikeouts.

The 6-4, 217-pounder is 22-23 with a 4.39 ERA during his major league career. In 370.2 innings, he has allowed 417 hits, 208 runs, 181 earned, with 123 walks and 315 strikeouts.

The Mets selected Niese in seventh round of the 2005 First-Year Player Draft.