Niese received a cortisone shot in his elbow and is expected to resume throwing on Wednesday.
It appears the Mets have dodged a bullet, as Adam Rubin of ESPN New York reports that Jon Niese has been cleared to resume throwing after his MRI today in New York came back negative.
After throwing just two innings in his start yesterday against the Cardinals, there was some concern about Niese's elbow but the ligament is said to be fully intact and the lefty received a cortisone shot in the back of his elbow to relieve inflammation. The news is great for the Mets' rotation even if it seems likely he'll have to start the season on the disabled list in order to build up his innings total thanks to missed time this spring.
If Niese does start the season on the disabled list, it sounds like Terry Collins would turn to veteran Bartolo Colon on Opening Day against the Nationals, though he also mentioned Dillon Gee as a possibility for the start. Niese is likely to begin throwing again on Wednesday and could stay in Florida until April 6th, the first time the Mets would need a 5th starter this season when they host the Cincinnati Reds.
