The left hander got some "amazingly good news" about his shoulder.
Mets left hander Jon Niese underwent an MRI on his pitching shoulder this week after experiencing some discomfort, but as Kevin Burkhardt of SportsNet New York reports, Niese's shoulder came back clean. Burkhardt said their was "some scapular weakness," but called the report "amazingly good news" for Niese and the Mets.
Manager Terry Collins passed along the news of the MRI that was performed in New York.
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Niese, 27, will presumably return to the Mets' spring training activities in Port St. Lucie, Fla. soon, but a timetable for his return to the mound has not been set.
Last season, Niese managed just 143 innings due to a partially torn rotator cuff. He finished the year with a 3.71 ERA in 24 starts, his second-straight season with an ERA under four. The Mets had him tabbed as their Opening Day starter against the Washington Nationals, but they might have to go with Bartolo Colon or another starter if Niese is still experiencing discomfort.
The good news for the Mets is that there is no damage to any tendons or muscles in his should, only the rather ambiguous "scapular weakness." The team could get by on a four-man rotation through the first week of the season if Niese needs some time to rest, but if he is forced to sit out for more than a few scheduled starts, New York might need to place him on the disabled list to open the year. Though that scenario is unlikely due to the positive nature of the MRI.