Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said Thursday that it's possible Jon Niese (elbow) will begin the year on the disabled list. It would just be a way to manipulate the roster for a few days, as Niese can be backdated on the disabled list and still make his season debut on April 6 against the Nationals. The southpaw has been battling left elbow inflammation, but it's not considered serious.

Jon Niese (elbow) is expected to join the Mets' starting rotation on April 6 against the Nationals. Niese has been battling left elbow inflammation and will likely be placed on the disabled list when the regular season opens, retroactive to a date that would allow him to be activated for that April 6 start. The 27-year-old southpaw is scheduled to test his elbow with a bullpen session Monday in camp.

Jon Niese (elbow) is scheduled to throw a bullpen session Monday in Mets camp. Niese will do side work with a weighted ball on Thursday to test his sore left elbow and then he'll step back on a mound early next week. The 27-year-old southpaw has been diagnosed with elbow inflammation and may need a season-opening stint on the 15-day disabled list because of the poor timing of the issue.

Jon Niese (elbow) expects to resume throwing Wednesday, but it likely won't be off a mound. An MRI on Monday showed inflammation in his elbow, which he was told was likely the result of him trying to ramp up his velocity. The important thing is that no ligament damage was found. He was given a cortisone shot to deal with the inflammation and he'll ease himself back into pitching off a mound. The Mets haven't officially ruled him out for Opening Day, but that appears highly unlikely. The best-case scenario might have him pitching in the second series of the season against the Reds, but a stint on the disabled list could be a possibility if he fails to make progress.

Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com reports that Jon Niese (elbow) will resume throwing on Wednesday after an MRI revealed that his ligament is "fully intact." Niese was given a cortisone injection in the back of his left elbow in order to combat inflammation. The left-hander has nursed shoulder and elbow ailments this spring and is expected to begin the season on the disabled list, but the hope is that he'll be ready to go on April 6 when the Mets first need a fifth starter.

Adam Rubin of ESPNNewYork.com reports that Jon Niese (elbow) is expected to open the season on the disabled list. The Mets won't know more about Niese status until after he undergoes an MRI Monday, but they've evidently already decided even in a best-case scenario that he'll need a DL stint. It's no surprise, as the left-hander has been limited to just four innings this spring due to shoulder soreness and a hyperextended elbow. The Mets don't need a fifth starter until April 6, at which point Niese would be eligible to return after a backdated DL move.

Mets manager Terry Collins hinted Sunday at the possibility that Jon Niese (elbow) may not be ready for Opening Day. Even if that's the case, he should be good to go the first time through the rotation though. Dillon Gee or Bartolo Colon would draw the assignment to start the opener if Niese is unable to pitch.

Jon Niese is dealt with a hyperextended pitching elbow. All things considered, it's good news. Niese originally hurt the elbow during an intrasquad game 10 days ago and had to exit his start Sunday early. He'll undergo an MRI, but the lefty said he's "almost 100 percent sure it's nothing serious." Even if the MRI comes back clean, Niese would seem to be a good bet to begin the season on the disabled list after battling shoulder and elbow maladies this spring.

Jon Niese left Sunday's start against the Cardinals with left elbow discomfort. Yikes. Niese dealt with a sore shoulder earlier in camp, and now his elbow is giving him problems. Kristie Ackert of the New York Daily News noted that the lefty has been wearing a neoprene sleeve the last few days, so it appears the elbow might have been aching before Sunday's outing. It's not clear at this point how long he might be sidelined.

Jon Niese left Sunday's start against the Cardinals with a possible injury. Niese allowed two runs on three hits and a walk over two innings and then didn't come out for the third frame. The left-hander's velocity appeared to be down again, as it's possible he's still battling a shoulder issue that had him shut down earlier in camp. The Mets should provide an update on Niese's status shortly.