Jon Niese (shoulder) is expected to rejoin the Mets' rotation on July 21 in Seattle.

That's just one day later than he's eligible to return. Tests have revealed inflammation of the AC joint in Niese's left shoulder, which, all things considered, was good news. The left-hander posted a 2.96 ERA over 17 starts before being placed on the disabled list over the weekend.

Jon Niese was diagnosed with inflammation of the AC joint in his left shoulder following an MRI and X-rays.

Niese was placed on the disabled list over the weekend with what was termed as a left shoulder strain. The hope is that anti-inflammatory medication will enable him to rejoin the Mets rotation early on in the second half. Still, given the number of arm issues he has dealt with over the past year, that's far from a guarantee.

Mets placed LHP Jon Niese on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to July 5, with a left shoulder injury.

Niese left his last outing after being hit in the back by a line drive, but it's his shoulder that's sending him to the DL. The left-hander has seen his velocity drop in recent starts and might be dealing with fatigue. Niese will surely undergo an MRI and/or other exams before it's determined how long he might be out.

The Mets are more concerned about a shoulder issue Jon Niese is dealing with rather than a sore back that forced him from Friday's start.

Niese was hit by a line drive in back during Friday's outing, forcing him to exit after just 12 pitches. However, he's apparently been battling a shoulder issue that's caused a dip in velocity in recent starts. No official announcement has been made, but the Mets are expected to place the left-hander on the DL. "He's got a bruise and he's talked about some other issues," manager Terry Collins said Saturday. "We'll see how he is tomorrow when it's time for him to throw again." Niese dealt with shoulder weakness in spring training and missed nearly two months last season with a partially torn rotator cuff.

Jon Niese (back) may be placed on the 15-day disabled list Sunday.

Niese made an early exit from his start Friday against the Rangers with a bruised back. "We'll know more tomorrow," Mets manager Terry Collins said Saturday night.

Jon Niese is considered day-to-day after leaving Friday's start against the Rangers with a bruised back.

Niese was struck by a line drive off the bat of Alex Rios in the first inning on Friday, but fortunately X-rays came back negative. The Mets will wait and see how he feels on Saturday, but it looks likely that he'll make his next scheduled start as planned.

Jon Niese was forced to leave Friday's start against the Rangers after just three batters, after he was drilled by a line drive off the bat of Alex Rios.

The ball struck him directly in the back. He had surrendered a solo homer to Shin-Soo Choo and an Elvis Andrus single before the Rios at-bat. The Mets should provide an update on his status shortly.

Mike Puma of the New York Post reports that the Mets are "reluctant" to trade Jon Niese.

Niese is probably the team's most shoppable commodity, but he also has a team-friendly contract that pays him just $16 million from 2015-16, with the Mets also having club options totaling $21 million from 2017-18. The left-hander boasts a 2.88 ERA over 16 starts this season.

Jon Niese allowed three earned runs over six innings in the Mets' win over the Marlins on Sunday.

Niese held the Fish scoreless until the bottom of the sixth inning, when all three runs crossed the plate. But he had a seven-run lead entering that frame and the Mets wound up winning 11-5. Niese will carry a cool 4-4 record, 2.78 ERA, and 1.16 WHIP into his next scheduled start on the road against the Pirates.

Jon Niese got the no-decision, allowing one run over 7 2/3 innings as the Mets were defeated by the Brewers 5-1 in 13 innings on Thursday.

Niese and Kyle Lohse were locked up in a pitcher's duel lasting into the eighth inning. The lefty allowed six hits -- including a crucial second-inning solo home run to Aramis Ramirez -- while walking one and striking out a season-high eight batters. Niese is quietly enjoying a great season, now holding a 2.54 ERA with a 1.13 WHIP and a 62/22 K/BB ratio in 85 innings. He'll go up against the Cardinals on the road in his next start.

Jon Niese picked up the no-decision, allowing two runs in 5 2/3 innings as the Mets lost to the Pirates 4-2 on Tuesday.

Niese had blanked the Pirates through five, but ran into some sixth inning trouble when he allowed a two-out, two-run single to Starling Marte to knot the game at two apiece. Overall, Niese allowed three hits, walked four, and struck out two. The lefty now has a 2.74 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 45/19 K/BB ratio in 62 1/3 innings. Niese will face the Phillies on the road in his next start.

Jon Niese picked up his third win, allowing three runs over seven innings as the Mets defeated the Dodgers 5-3 on Thursday.

Niese limited the Dodgers to one run over six innings, but Justin Turner tagged him for a game-tying two-run home run in the seventh inning. Overall, the lefty was effective, allowing four hits, walking three, and striking out five. Niese has been quietly productive for the Mets, carrying a 2.70 ERA and a 43/15 K/BB ratio. He'll go for his fourth win in next week's start against the Pirates at home.

Jon Niese struggled in Friday's start against the Nationals, allowing five runs (three earned) in four innings, resulting in his third loss of the season.

The Nationals singled Niese to death, as seven of the eight hits he allowed were of the one-base variety. Niese also walked two and struck out only two. The loss, which sent him to 2-3, is his worst outing of the season. Niese will take his 2.54 ERA and 1.19 WHIP into next week's home start against the Dodgers.

Jon Niese allowed three runs on eight hits over six innings in a no-decision against the Phillies on Sunday.

Niese turned in his sixth straight quality start despite not factoring in the decisoin, walking one and striking out six while allowing the eight hits. The left-hander hasn't enjoyed much luck -- he's still just 2-2 on the year -- but owners should take solace in his 2.17 ERA and 1.07 WHIP. He'll hope for some more run support hwen he visits the Nationals on Friday.

Jon Niese blanked the Marlins for seven innings on Monday, lowering his ERA to 1.82 in the process.

Niese left with a 3-0 lead, but that was gone in the blink of an eye, courtesy of Daisuke Matsuzaka and an Omar Quintanilla miscue. At least Niese was strong again. It's still worth wondering if his arm will hold up, but he ranks among the game's ERA leaders right now.

Jon Niese tossed seven innings of one-run ball in the Mets' 6-1 defeat of the Phillies on Tuesday.

Niese earned his first win of 2014 last week when he yielded just one run in 6 2/3 innings against the Cardinals. He was even better on Tuesday night in Philadelphia, fanning five while surrendering just four hits and a walk. Niese will carry a stellar 2.20 ERA and 1.04 WHIP into his next outing at the Rockies' Coors Field.

Jon Niese recorded his first win of the year by holding the Cardinals to one run in 6 2/3 innings on Wednesday.

Niese hasn't had a bad start yet, but he ended the night with an 0-2 record anyway. He finally got on the board in this one, thanks to an uncharacteristic fourth inning from Michael Wacha. Niese ended up allowing six hits, walking two and striking out three. It looks like he'll be a pretty solid mixed-league starter if his arm holds up.

Jon Niese tossed six innings of one-run ball Friday in a loss to the Braves.

Niese was pulled for a pinch-hitter in the bottom of the sixth inning, as the Mets were hitless at the time. The southpaw gave up four hits and three walks while striking out seven batters. The lone run scored on a Chris Johnson double in the second inning. While Niese fell to 0-2 on the year, he now has a 2.84 ERA and 16/5 K/BB ratio in 19 inning across three starts. He'll get the Cardinals next week at home.

Jon Niese surrendered three runs in 7 1/3 innings in a no-decision Saturday against the Angels.

Niese got an extra day of rest after his season debut last Sunday and impressed again. We're not all that optimistic that his arm will hold up, but his stuff looks fine right now, making him a decent spot starter in mixed leagues. He'll get the Braves next time out on Friday.

Jon Niese (elbow) allowed four runs -- two earned -- on five hits over 4 2/3 innings in a simulated game Tuesday.

He threw 76 pitches in the outing. Scripps' Bill Whitehead says Niese "looked pretty good," but hitters were jumping on his stuff early in the count. As long as the left-hander feels good Wednesday, he's expected to be cleared to start on Sunday against the Reds.