MLB

Mets manager hopeful Niese will heal quickly

PHILADELPHIA — Time is short, but the Mets still expect to see more of Jon Niese this season.

The lefty was placed on the disabled list yesterday, after aggravating a rib cage injury while facing the Phillies the previous night. The Mets are calling it an intercostal strain of the ride side.

“For the most part I think those guys can come back if it’s not too severe,” manager Terry Collins said before the Mets’ 7-4 victory over the Phillies. “He may have to go throw a little bit.”

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Niese sustained the injury swinging the bat in San Diego last week, but was deemed well enough to face the Phillies. But the soreness returned in the third inning Tuesday, and Niese tried to pitch through it instead of alerting the medical staff. Niese had been cleared for the start after reporting no problems following a Sunday bullpen session.

“I just knew once the game started and the adrenaline was flowing and the workload would change a little bit that perhaps there might be an issue there,” Collins said. “I asked him during the game and he said he was fine. But I’m not surprised he came up stiff.”

The Mets are still deciding on a starter to take Niese’s turn in the rotation Monday.

➤ Mike Nickeas was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo to take Niese’s roster spot and give the Mets insurance at catcher with Ronny Paulino hurting. Paulino has a sore big toe — it’s possibly broken — but walked in a pinch-hitting role yesterday. Chris Capuano then ran for Paulino, who is expected to receive X-rays on the toe today.

➤ Scott Hairston, who sustained a ribcage injury Tuesday, was unavailable to play yesterday and is likely headed to the DL. Hairston will undergo an MRI exam today. Hairston sustained the injury on a swing during Tuesday’s seventh inning.

➤ The Mets are starting to explore possibilities in the event Sunday’s game against the Braves at Citi Field is rained out — Hurricane Irene could make its presence felt in the Northeast.

Collins said one possibility is having the teams play a doubleheader next month at Turner Field in which the Mets would be designated the home team for one game. But the Mets and Braves also have a mutual day off on Sept. 8 — a day after the Braves play in Philly.