Jon Niese reportedly pitched through neck injury

Unnamed sources are shedding light on the recent struggles of Mets' lefty Jon Niese, Via Andy Martino of the Daily News, Niese has been dealing with a sore neck since his April 28 start against the Phillies in which he allowed just one run in six innings.

Niese's two starts since that game have been by far his worst of the season. He surrendered seven runs in four innings against the Braves and eight runs in four-and-one-third innings on Saturday against the Pirates. The typically reliable Niese hasn't had back-to-back starts with such poor results since allowing six runs in each of his final two starts of the 2010 season.

Niese has downplayed whispers that he's been less than 100 percent healthy this season, but he allowed that his neck had been bothering him and could have thrown off his mechanics. Niese came into the season with high expectations and was the Mets' Opening Day starter. In six April starts, his ERA was 3.31, but he has a 16.20 ERA in May.