AP Baseball Writer

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NEW YORK (AP) — The ever-smiling Mr. Met mascot is back at Citi Field, a day after the person inside the big-headed costume was caught on video making an obscene gesture to a fan.

The Mets said a different person was doing Mr. Met duty for Thursday’s game against Milwaukee. The mascot was at his spot before the game, posing for pictures, signing autographs and high-fiving fans young and old.

The Mets apologized after Wednesday night’s incident during a 7-1 loss to the Brewers, saying the offending employee won’t work in the costume again.

Video of the mascot flipping his finger went viral. The team didn’t identify the employee who made the gesture.

Mr. Mets has been around for more than five decades, long popular with Mets fans for his oversized head with baseball seams.

FILE – In this April 11, 2005, file photo, New York Mets mascot Mr. Met reacts with the crowd during the Mets home opener against the Houston Astros at Shea Stadium in New York. Even Mr. Met is frustrated with the team’s start. New York’s beloved mascot flashed an upraised middle finger at a fan during Wednesday night’s, May 31, 2017, 7-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, and the employee will not work for the Mets again. A Mets official told The Associated Press more than one person wears the Mr. Met costume during each season, and the person who donned it Wednesday night will not do so again. The Mets official spoke on condition of anonymity because the statement from the organization was the team’s only authorized comment. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/06/web1_116884760-41efe3e9889b44d3b53f708bca9d19ec.jpgFILE – In this April 11, 2005, file photo, New York Mets mascot Mr. Met reacts with the crowd during the Mets home opener against the Houston Astros at Shea Stadium in New York. Even Mr. Met is frustrated with the team’s start. New York’s beloved mascot flashed an upraised middle finger at a fan during Wednesday night’s, May 31, 2017, 7-1 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers, and the employee will not work for the Mets again. A Mets official told The Associated Press more than one person wears the Mr. Met costume during each season, and the person who donned it Wednesday night will not do so again. The Mets official spoke on condition of anonymity because the statement from the organization was the team’s only authorized comment. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull, File)

New York Mets mascot Mr. Met greets fans in centerfield before a baseball game between the Mets and the Milwaukee Brewers, Thursday, June 1, 2017, in New York. The Mets’ beloved mascot flashed an upraised middle finger at a fan during a 7-1 loss to the Brewers the night before, and the employee in the costume will not work for the Mets again. A Mets official told The Associated Press more than one person wears the Mr. Met costume during each season, and the person who donned it Wednesday night will not do so again. (AP Photo/Ben Walker)

http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/06/web1_116884760-17d26942162f4b8cb23e6b9c04453cf1.jpgNew York Mets mascot Mr. Met greets fans in centerfield before a baseball game between the Mets and the Milwaukee Brewers, Thursday, June 1, 2017, in New York. The Mets’ beloved mascot flashed an upraised middle finger at a fan during a 7-1 loss to the Brewers the night before, and the employee in the costume will not work for the Mets again. A Mets official told The Associated Press more than one person wears the Mr. Met costume during each season, and the person who donned it Wednesday night will not do so again. (AP Photo/Ben Walker)