Mets Dillon Gee will come off DL and start Wednesday vs. Braves

May 4, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Dillon Gee (35) prepares to pitch in the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
May 4, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Dillon Gee (35) prepares to pitch in the fifth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /
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New York Mets pitcher Dillon Gee will make his return on Wednesday at home against the Atlanta Braves.  He will take the spot in the rotation vacated by Jon Niese.

Niese was placed on the disabled list earlier today with a strained left shoulder.  However, he is scheduled to begin a throwing program as soon as Tuesday, so he should return to the rotation shortly after the All Star break.

That will likely result in a demotion to the bullpen for Daisuke Matsuzaka.

Gee has been out since May 11th with a strained muscle in his back.

He was originally expected to be back in early June, but a late May setback delayed his return.  The Mets have now confirmed that his return will be on Wedenesday.

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Gee was 3-1 with a 2.73 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in eight starts before landing on the disabled list.

He was on some sort of roll before the injury.  He had given up just five runs in 33 innings over five starts.  The Mets hope he can pick up where he left off, especially considering that Niese will miss a few turns.

Gee made two rehab starts will the Gulf Coast Mets before advancing to short-season Brooklyn.  He gave up only two runs and struck out 16 in nine innings over two starts for Brooklyn.

The Braves are scheduled to counter with right hander Ervin Santana for the 7pm eastern tilt at Citi Field.

The Braves are playing well lately.  They just had a nine game winning streak snapped today by the Diamondbacks.