Rangers sign Jon Niese to Minor League contract

The Texas Rangers today announced that the club has signed left-handed pitcher Jon Niese to a minor league contract with an invitation to major league spring training camp.
Niese, 31, spent last season in the New York Yankees system, but did not pitch in the regular season. He made 6 relief appearances in spring training games, posting no record and a 4.50 ERA (3 ER/6.0 IP) after knee surgery at the end of 2016. He was released on March 26, but re-signed with the Yankees two days later. Niese was eventually released again on June 7.
In his last big league action in 2016, Niese combined to post an 8-7 record with a 5.50 ERA in 29 games/20 starts for Pittsburgh and New York-NL. His last MLB appearance came in a start on August 23, 2016 at St. Louis, an outing in which he exited during the first inning due to left knee discomfort. One of his 8 wins that season came in Arlington, as he is 2-0 with a 2.31 ERA (3 ER/11.2 IP) in 2 career games/starts at Globe Life Park.
Niese has spent the bulk of his career with the New York Mets after he was originally selected by the club in the 7th round of the 2005 June draft. He made his debut in 2008 at the age of 21, and owns a career 69-68 record with a 4.07 ERA over 211 games/197 starts in his major league career with New York-NL (2008-16) and Pittsburgh (2016). Niese made 4 relief appearances for the Mets in the 2015 World Series.
With the signing of Niese, the Rangers have a full 40-man roster along with 22 non-roster invitees for major league spring training camp.