Jon Niese was removed from Tuesday’s game against the Dodgers after a Mark Ellis one-hop comebacker struck him in the back of the right leg.
The play occurred in the top of the third inning at Citi Field, with the Mets trailing 1-0. Niese appeared in pain, sitting along the first-base foul line as he was examined by team medical personnel.
Robert Carson was summoned from the bullpen to replace Niese.
The Mets’ rotation has already been smacked by injuries in 2013, with Johan Santana lost for the year to shoulder surgery and Shaun Marcum still waiting to make his debut for the team after incurring neck stiffness in spring training.
The Mets’ Opening Day starter, Niese had allowed one run on two hits in 2 1/3 innings. He escaped a bases-loaded jam in the second inning with an inning-ending double play.
Niese entered the game with a 3.80 ERA.