Niese allowed four earned runs in six innings Thursday, allowing six hits (including two homers) and one walk while striking out two.

EDGE Analysis

The outing was only his third of the Grapefruit League season, as one of his scheduled starts was rained out. The six-inning outing Thursday was one inning more than his first two games, combined. Niese will look to improve upon last year's career-low 5.76 K/9 mark while keeping his career-best 54.5 GB percentage.