For the first time in 328 days, Tomas Nido squatted behind home plate and stepped up to bat for a game in Queens. Its been a long time, Nido said before play Friday. Feels like it. The time away made Nido appreciate this opportunity more. Perhaps it also did some good for his bat. Tomas Nido was all smiles after his solo home run. Robert Sabo for NY Post Nido, playing in his first game at Citi Field since June 3, welcomed himself back with a home run and double in the . The longtime Met came through with his fourth career game with multiple extra-base hits, and his homer a fifth-inning shot to right-center was his first since Sept. 30, 2022. Explore More The big day was well-timed after a long time away from Flushing. Back in early June of last year, Nido had watched Francisco Alvarez establish himself in the majors and as veteran Omar Narvaez made his way back from a calf strain. Nido could see the writing on the wall. I understood the situation, Nido said. You have a superstar in Alvarez, and you Larry Johnson Jersey have Narvy backing up. I figured I was the odd man out. And he figured his time with the Mets and Citi Field was absolutely finished, he said. Tomas Nido is back with the Mets after Francisco Alvarez went down with an injury and needed surgery. Robert Sabo for NY Post Nido, an eighth-round pick in 2012 of the Mets, debuted in 2017 and only had known major league life in Queens, where he became well-regarded defensively as a light-hitting backup. The quick rise of Alvarez and the free-agent addition of Narvaez pushed out Nido, who was designated for a signment but cleared waivers, perhaps because of the two-year, $3.7 million contract he signed before the start of last season. Nido then reported to Triple-A Syracuse, where he finished last season and began this season. has given Nido another chance with the Mets in the majors nearly 11 months after he believed his tenure was over. Nido called Fridays game, his return to Queens, special. For whatever reason, things worked out how they did, and Im still here, Nido said. It really made me grateful. It made me really not take for granted the time up here. Kevin Love Jersey