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Just when the Mets appear to gain a healthy member of the pitching rotation, they might be losing one again. Earlier today, it was announced that Shaun Marcum would be making his Mets debut against the Phillies on Saturday, but tonight Jon Niese was hit on the right foot by a Mark Ellis comebacker.
Niese left the game without throwing another pitch and was replaced by Robert Carson. Kevin Burkhardt just reported on SNY that Niese has a contusion on his lower right leg, and that X-rays were negative. This means that Niese did not break his ankle, which is good news. We still don't know whether or not he'll be able to make his next start, but early speculation is that Collin McHugh or the recently acquired D.J. Mitchell would be the next in line to make a spot start.
After making 30 starts last season with a 3.40 ERA, Niese got off to a decent start in the 2013 campaign, although his stirkeout-to-walk ratio of 13:9 could use a little work. Niese had already walked three batters in tonight's game against the Dodgers before leaving with the foot injury.