Mets place Jon Niese on DL, but admit he’s not injured

May 16, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Jon Niese (49) throws during the second inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
May 16, 2014; Washington, DC, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Jon Niese (49) throws during the second inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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The New York Mets placed left hander Jon Niese on the disabled list because he can’t get people out.  Well, if you read between the lines, that is what it says.

The official report has him with a left shoulder strain.  The team admitted that they do not think he is hurt, but they also don’t think he looks right either.

What exactly looks right to the Mets then?  Niese has a rotation-best 2.96 ERA this season.  That not enough?  How about the fact that he has not given up more than three earned runs in a start all season!

Whatever happened to the days of sending a struggling starter to the bullpen or back to AAA?  This seems like abuse of the DL privilege to me.

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Niese was chased from his last start after being hit in the side by an Alex Rios line drive after only 12 pitches.  After the game, Niese said he felt fine, and even pleaded with the team to give him two starts before the All Star break instead of just one.

Instead the Mets told him they wanted him to take a break to see if he can regain some of the velocity on his fastball.  It is nearly three MPH slower than it has been over the last three seasons.

The Mets called up reliever Buddy Carlyle to take his roster spot.

It is also speculated that the Mets will activate Dillon Gee from the disabled list to take Niese’s place.  He was scheduled to start on Wednesday against the Braves.