MLB

Niese could land on DL again

Jon Niese could be headed to the disabled list, according to Mets manager Terry Collins.
“There’s a possibility,” he said after Saturday’s 5-3 loss to the Rangers at Citi Field. “We’ll know more [Sunday]. We’ll wait to see how he and Dillon [Gee] are doing.”

The issue is not related to the lower back bruise Niese suffered in his abbreviated outing on Friday, when he lasted just 12 pitches before being hit by an Alex Rios line drive.

“He’s got a bruise and he’s talked about some other issues,” said Collins, who wouldn’t confirm the problem may be with Niese’s shoulder. Prior to the game, the manager indicated he would wait until Niese threw on Sunday before making any decisions.

During Saturday’s game, the Mets announced right-handed reliever Buddy Carlyle was on his way to New York, but he had yet to be activated. So while Niese had lobbied to be able to make his next start on short rest because of Saturday’s short outing, the Mets seem inclined to go in the other direction.

The Mets also still have to determine the next step for Gee, who threw 75 pitches in a rehab start with Class-A Brooklyn Friday night and is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Sunday.

“After [the bullpen] we will make a decision when he’s gonna pitch again,” said Collins, who added that the Mets could wait until after the All-Star break to bring Gee back to the majors.

“There could be a reason, for sure that you might want him to throw some more. He could pitch next week here, [or he] could try to get to 100 pitches someplace else.”

Gee has been out since May with a strained right lat.


Shortstop Ruben Tejada (1-for-4) has already dealt with the loss of playing time to W ilmer Flores, which led to a conversation with Collins and while there are no indications that the Cubs are looking to move shortstop Starlin Castro in the wake of their blockbuster trade with Oakland on Friday that netted them top prospect Addison Russell to go along with their bevy of infield prospects, the manager said if he feels the need to chat with Tejada again about his spot on the team, he would.

“If it starts floating out there, I would certainly sit Ruben down and talk to him,” Collins said. “When we sent Wilmer down [to Triple-A Las Vegas], I talked to Ruben about ‘Obviously, you’re the guy, now what are you gonna do about it? Because [Flores] is going down to play, so if he comes back, there’s gonna be a reason. So don’t let the job get away.’”


Travis d’Arnaud homered and has reached base in all 10 games since returning from Las Vegas.

“He’s done a much better job of plate coverage,” Collins said before the game. “His swings are extremely aggressive. He’s not just feeling for the ball anymore. He’s done a better job of covering the outside part of the plate.”