The Mets' starting rotation has taken quite a few injury hits this year, but one of its stalwarts will be just fine. All signs point to Jonathon Niese starting Sunday's series finale against the Phillies.
According to Newsday, the 26-year-old lefty will throw a bullpen session either today or tomorrow, and if all goes well, he won't have to miss his start. Niese was forced to leave Tuesday's start against the Dodgers in the third inning after he was hit in ankle by a ground ball from Dodgers second baseman Mark Ellis. His ankle apparently went numb after the injury but the Mets' medical staff apparently doesn't feel like it's anything serious.
For the season, Niese has a 3.81 ERA and 1.58 WHIP with 14 strikeouts and 12 walks in 26 innings. He has easily been the Mets' second-best starting pitcher behind Matt Harvey, even though he hasn't pitched as well as he did last year.