The Mets got some good news about Jon Niese on Monday after the left-hander underwent an MRI exam and X-ray on his bothersome left shoulder.
“There were no changes since spring training,” general manager Sandy Alderson said. “Right now our doctors think he’s gonna be ready to make his first start after the All-Star Break.”
Still, Alderson acknowledged it was worrisome Niese — placed on the disabled list Sunday — needed a break in the middle of the season for a second straight year.
“It’s always a concern when the shoulder is involved,” said Alderson, who spent the afternoon with veterans at the VA St. Albans Community Living Center in Queens. “We need to make sure he and we stay on it and keep it strong. So this break comes at an opportune time, as it did last year.”
Niese figures to just miss one start, but the team would like to avoid similar situations going forward.
“Whether this is a regular occurrence on his part, we’ll have to see how it goes,” said Alderson, adding he didn’t think there was anything in particular he believed Niese needed to change in his training regimen.
“It’s something we’ll look at as the season goes on. He’s pretty diligent and responsible. There’s no shortcoming with his preparation or conditioning.”