Jon Niese leaves Mets game with left elbow discomfort
Howard Simmons/New York Daily NewsJUPITER, Fla. - Jon Niese left his second Grapefruit League start with elbow discomfort Sunday afternoon. The front-runner to be the Mets' Opening Day starter, Nise threw just 35 pitches before he apparently pulled himself.
The Mets were scrambling as they took the field to get reliever Buddy Carlyle warmed up to start the bottom of the third inning at Roger Dean Stadium.
The left-hander was already behind schedule this spring. On Feb. 26, he was sent back to New York for an MRI on his shoulder after telling the Mets staff he felt like his arm was dead. The Mets said the MRI showed no structural damage to the shoulder and he was diagnosed with weakness in his scapula muscle.
The past few days in the clubhouse, Niese was sporting a black sleeve on his left arm, covering his elbow.
There was concern when Niese finally made Grapefruit League debut March 11. Niese's fastball in that start against the Cardinals barely touched 88 miles per hour.
Sunday, Niese's velocity seemed back on track with his fastball touching 89mph twice in the first inning. In the second he gave up two runs on three hits and walked a batter.
Last season, Niese struggled through most of the season with neck/shoulder problems, until he was diagnosed with a partially torn rotator cuff. The lefty had struggled with neck and shoulder injuries most of the early season, which some in the organization linked to a start in below-freezing temperatures in Denver during an April series.
He was shut down after leaving a game with discomfort in June. With a second MRI, done after the inflammation had gone down in his shoulder, the injury was ruled more of a strain and he was prescribed rest and shoulder strengthening exercises. He did not require surgery.
The 27-year old who is signed through 2016 was able to return in August and finished off the season strong.
Niese returned in August to pitch 10 games, going 6-4 with a 3.00 ERA.
John Lannan, who the Mets have in camp on a minor-league deal, is the only other left-handed starter in the major-league camp for the Mets. He is starting tomorrow against the Marlins.
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