MLB

VIDEO: Mets’ Niese feeling ‘terrible’ after breaking Heyward’s jaw with fastball

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The crowd of 22,935 gasped as a Jon Niese fastball came up and in on Justin Heyward, smashing into the Braves hitter’s jaw in the sixth inning.

“I felt terrible,” Niese said.

“It’s scary. You don’t ever want to hit anybody in the head,” catcher John Buck said. “I saw him spitting up blood and that’s even scarier.”

Heyward, whose grandparents attended the game, dropped to the ground as trainers raced to his aid, but he eventually walked off. Niese tapped himself with his glove and Heyward placed a quick hand to his heart in acknowledgement. He fist bumped teammates in the dugout and was taken to a local hospital — his grandparents and the trainer accompanying him — for additional evaluation.

Heyward suffered a fractured jaw and will be out 4-6 weeks.

The Braves lost pitcher Tim Hudson last month on their visit to Citi Field. Hudson was stepped on by Eric Young Jr. as he covered first and suffered a broken ankle.

* There is little doubt, but Jeremy Hefner wants to be certain he must undergo Tommy John surgery.

“It’s looking like Tommy John now, but I want to make sure I cover all my bases,” said Hefner, who will seek a second opinion from Dr. James Andrews on Monday.

But Hefner is pretty much resigned to the news. The Tommy John surgery, which would cost him about one year in recovery time, already has been recommended. Hefner heard that Tuesday.

“I kind of knew it was coming, and I had some time to process it, too, before they told me. I’ll see what the second doctor says and go from there,” Hefner said, admitting he pitched in more pain than he revealed while compiling a 4-8 record.

* Manager Terry Collins reiterated he has a schedule in mind for keeping Buck active while Travis d’Arnaud does the bulk of the catching. Buck started yesterday.

“There’s no ratio. I’ve put some ideas down for me to kind of have a guideline when I think we need to get John in there and make sure Travis gets in there enough,” Collins said, noting Buck “certainly deserves a chance to play.”

* Josh Satin has reached base safely in all 29 games he has started this season, tying the club record for rookies (Steve Henderson, 1977). … Clutch, thy name ain’t Mets. The Mets were 0-of-9 with runners in scoring position. The only time they were worse this season was an 0-of-19 effort on June 8 in a 20-inning loss to Miami.

With Niese’s strong effort, Mets starters in August have compiled a 2.85 ERA (39 ER, 123 1/3 IP) with 115 strikeouts. … Niese fanned a season-high nine for a second straight game. … Atlanta’s first hit came in the fourth — and resulted in Juan Lagares’ 11th outfield assist. The Mets center fielder cut down Andrelton Simmons trying to stretch his way to a double. … Braves OF Justin Upton sat a second straight game with an upper back strain.