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New York Yankees release LHP Jonathon Niese

By The Sports Xchange
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jonathon Niese delivers a pitch to the St.Louis Cardinals in the first inning at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on July 4, 2016. Pittsburgh won the game 4-2. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI
1 of 3 | Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jonathon Niese delivers a pitch to the St.Louis Cardinals in the first inning at Busch Stadium in St. Louis on July 4, 2016. Pittsburgh won the game 4-2. Photo by Bill Greenblatt/UPI | License Photo

The New York Yankees on Sunday released Jonathon Niese, ending the left-hander's bid to secure a position in the bullpen.

Niese, who signed a minor-league contract with the club on Feb. 20, was attempting to return from season-ending surgery to repair a meniscus tear in his left knee in August.

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The 30-year-old allowed three runs on five hits in six innings for a 4.50 ERA in six Grapefruit League appearances.

Niese spent the first eight seasons of his career with the New York Mets before he was dealt to the Pittsburgh Pirates in December 2015 in exchange for second baseman Neil Walker.

His time in Pittsburgh was a disappointment. Niese went 8-6 with a 4.91 ERA in 23 games (18 starts), losing his spot in the rotation at midseason in 2016.

Niese was dealt back to the Mets on Aug. 1 in exchange for reliever Antonio Bastardo and cash. He went 0-1 with an 11.45 ERA in six games (two starts) for New York, then underwent season-ending left knee surgery on Aug. 25.

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In 211 career games (197 starts), Niese has a 69-68 record with a 4.07 ERA.

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