Mets placed RHP Shaun Marcum on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 22, with neck discomfort.

The Mets were hoping to keep Marcum active, but he's not where he needs to be physically. The 31-year-old right-hander will hang back at the club's spring training complex in Port St. Lucie, Florida until he is ready to take on live hitters. He should be able to join the major league rotation by the middle of April.

The Mets have devised a plan that might keep Shaun Marcum (neck) off the 15-day disabled list.

Marcum would hang back in Port St. Lucie, Florida and keep stretching himself out and then start for the Mets in the fifth or sixth game of the regular season. The right-hander has been bothered this spring by neck and shoulder discomfort, but doctors have ruled out any structural damage. Marcum remains a risky option in fantasy leagues.

Mets manager Terry Collins said Tuesday that Shaun Marcum's neck injury will be treated with anti-inflammatories.

Marcum hasn't pitched in a game in two weeks and is all but certain to open the season on the 15-day disabled list. He saw a doctor Tuesday who was able to rule out any structural damage, but the discomfort persists. Aaron Laffey seems likely to fill his rotation spot.

Shaun Marcum (neck) is scheduled to see a doctor Tuesday.

Marcum experienced an issue with his neck during a bullpen session Monday and has been officially scratched from his scheduled start on Thursday. He already missed a start this spring due to a shoulder impingement, so his readiness for the season is in serious doubt. As of now, the Mets are hoping that he could be ready in time for either the fifth or sixth game of the season, but we should know more after Tuesday's doctor visit.

Shaun Marcum could begin the season on the disabled list after he tweaked his neck during a bullpen session Monday.

Marcum was slated to return to Grapefruit League action on Thursday after a recent shoulder impingement, but that's not going to happen now. While the veteran right-hander was expected to pitch the second game of the season, the Mets are now aiming for him to start the fifth or sixth game. If the Mets line Marcum up for the sixth game, it would allow them to place him on the disabled list and carry an extra reliever for a week.

Shaun Marcum will make his final tuneup of the Grapefruit League season on Thursday, which would line him up to start Game 2 of the regular season.

Marcum required a cortisone shot on Tuesday for an impingement in his pitching shoulder, though it's not expected to be a major issue. The veteran right-hander has always posted stellar numbers when he's healthy, and pitching half his games at spacious Citi Field certainly won't hurt his value. He's a very attractive option in the later rounds of most mixed league drafts.

Mets manager Terry Collins expects Shaun Marcum (shoulder) to return to Grapefruit League action on March 25 or 26.

Marcum had to have a cortisone shot on Tuesday for an impingement in his pitching shoulder, but it's an issue the righty told Collins that he gets "every spring." Barring a setback, it sounds like Marcum should be ready to take his first turn once the regular season begins.

Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said that the cortisone shot Shaun Marcum received for his right shoulder Tuesday was "largely precautionary."

Alderson added that, at this point, he isn't expecting the right-hander to need a stint on the disabled list. It sounds like it was a maintenance shot more than Marcum having a setback, as the righty has dealt with shoulder issues off and on over the past couple seasons, including earlier this spring. Marcum isn't a great bet to stay healthy for the duration of the 2013 campaign.

Shaun Marcum received a cortisone shot Tuesday in New York due to a shoulder impingement.

The Mets are only saying at the moment that Marcum and will not pitch for a few days, but you'd have to believe he's a longshot to be ready for the start of the season. The right-hander dealt with a shoulder issue earlier in camp and had problems with the shoulder last spring training, as well. With Johan Santana also sidelined, both Jeremy Hefner and Aaron Laffey will probably break camp as members of the rotation.

Shaun Marcum surrendered two runs in four innings Saturday in a loss to the Marlins.

Marcum failed to record a strikeout while allowing five hits and walking one today. He's still trying to build arm strength following his early spring setback, and the early results aren't particularly encouraging. He's going to need more velocity to succeed in the regular season.

Shaun Marcum allowed just one hit over 3 2/3 innings as the Mets shut out the Cardinals 3-0 on Sunday.

Marcum struck out two and walked none before coming out. There are enough question marks about his arm that he's going to be a tough guy to count on in fantasy leagues this year. Still, he should be worth playing while he's healthy.

Shaun Marcum (shoulder) struck out one and walked one over two shutout innings Tuesday in a B-game against the Marlins.

Marcum pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the first and set the side down in order in the second. The veteran right-hander recently had to slow things down in order to strengthen his shoulder, but it appears he is back on track. He should pitch in a Grapefruit League game this weekend if all goes well.

Shaun Marcum (shoulder) will return to Grapefruit League action on Tuesday.

Marcum was removed from the Mets' spring training rotation for a little over a week while he did some strengthening of his pitching shoulder. His shoulder gave him issues last spring, as well, but he was able to take his first turn once the regular season began. Barring a setback, that should be the case again this year.

Shaun Marcum has been temporarily removed from the Mets' Grapefruit League rotation in order to strengthen his shoulder.

Marcum will play long-toss to build up shoulder strength before returning to Grapefruit League action in early- to mid-March. It's the same thing the Mets are doing with Johan Santana, though the club insists that neither pitcher is injured. Marcum was limited by shoulder soreness last spring but was able to start the season on time.

Before Shaun Marcum signed a one-year contract with the Mets on Friday, he had talks with both the Rangers and Mariners.

This would seem to indicate that both squads are still in the market for a starting pitcher. The Rangers indicated on Thursday that they aren't pursuing Kyle Lohse, widely regarded as the top free agent starter remaining on the market.

Mets signed RHP Shaun Marcum to a one-year contract.

The financial details are not yet known. The deal was reported Thursday, but Marcum passing a physical was no formality after he dealt with elbow issues last season. The right-hander posted a 3.70 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 7.9 K/9 in 124 innings last year for the Brewers and should give the Mets some solid innings if he can remain healthy.

According to Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the Mets have signed a one-year contract with Shaun Marcum.

Marcum will hope to revitalize his value in the pitcher-friendly confines of Citi Field before attempting to finally cash in big in the fall. The 31-year-old right-hander posted a decent 3.70 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and 7.9 K/9 in 124 innings last year for the Brewers while battling elbow issues. He'll carry a good amount of fantasy value in 2013 if he's healthy.

Corey Brock of MLB.com reports that the Padres aren't in on Shaun Marcum or Joe Saunders and haven't been all winter.

Reports have linked the Padres to both pitchers this offseason, but they are apparently inaccurate. As of now, the Padres project to begin the season with Edinson Volquez, Clayton Richard, Jason Marquis, Eric Stults, Tyson Ross in their rotation while Andrew Cashner (thumb) and Cory Luebke (elbow) will eventually be in the mix.

FOX Sports' Jon Paul Morosi reports that the Rangers, Padres and Pirates are showing interest in Shaun Marcum.

The Indians, Royals and Twins have also expressed interest in the right-hander this offseason, but it's not clear whether they're still in on him. Marcum has posted a 3.62 ERA and 1.18 WHIP over 85 starts across the last three seasons, but he had some elbow issues in 2012 and hasn't been a bastion of health during his career. Still, he just turned 31 and could wind up being a nice investment on a reasonable deal.

FOX Sports' Jon Paul Morosi reports that the Indians "have had dialogue" with Shaun Marcum.

Morosi says "it's not clear yet" whether Cleveland's signing of Brett Myers will affect a potential pursuit of Marcum. They have room in their rotation for another addition, but it remains to be seen if they have enough cash to make it happen. Marcum has also drawn interest from the Royals, Twins and Padres.