Jon Niese Optioned, Will Not Be On Opening Day Roster

In an expected move, the Mets optioned pitcher Jon Niese to Triple-A Buffalo on today.

Niese, 22, was one of several roster moves that trimmed the spring roster.

Niese was one of the contenders for the fifth spot in the Mets’ rotation, but he was a longshot at best to get the job.

Mets general manager Omar Minaya said the move will allow Niese to get more innings of work in the minors, while Jerry Manuel gets to see more of the other pitchers that are being considered for spots on the opening day roster.

“I think he had a very good camp, a very good camp,” Minaya said. “I thought he developed very well. We could have easily kept him here longer, but keeping him here longer without pitching, I don’t think that would be the right move.”

Matt Cerrone of MetsBlog explained that Jon Niese was disappointed, but nor surprised by the move.

The team also optioned pitcher Connor Robertson and catcher Robinson Cancel and reassigned five players to its minor-league camp: pitchers Jon Switzer, Heriberto Ruelas, Kyle Snyder, Matt DeSalvo and Casey Fossum.