Pirates GM Neal Huntington confirmed Monday that Niese will open the season in Pittsburgh's starting rotation, Travis Sawchik of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review reports.

EDGE Analysis

Niese has allowed eight earned runs in five Grapefruit League innings. The lefty will likely slot third or fourth in the rotation, though he's likely the third starter right now. Niese spent the previous eight seasons with the Mets, it wouldn't be surprising to see him get off to a good start while trying to impress a new organization, even though his two spring starts have been disappointing.

Niese was traded to the Pirates on Wednesday in exchange for Neil Walker, Ken Rosenthal of Fox Sports reports.

EDGE Analysis

Trade talks between the two sides had been heating up for much of Wednesday and the deal has now been agreed upon pending medical reviews. The 29-year-old Niese put together a 4.13 ERA with 113 strikeouts and 55 walks over 29 starts last season with the Mets, but it was becoming increasingly clear that the organization did not plan to have him as a fixture in the rotation much longer due to the club's wealth of young pitching talent. Niese figures to compete for a spot in the middle or back end of the Pirates' rotation in 2016.

Niese may miss a game during the NLCS against the Cubs due to a death in the family, Anthony DiComo of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Niese was only needed once in the divisional series win against the Dodgers, but the Mets could be short-handed in the relief corps at some point in the upcoming series. In two starts against the Cubs this season, he lost both, yielding seven runs (five earned) on 10 hits and five walks, while striking out seven in 13.1 innings.

Niese made his first relief appearance since July 10, 2011 on Tuesday, allowing with one run on three singles in 1.2 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Niese will likely work at least one more time the final week of the season. That appearance could come Wednesday, as New York sees if Niese can go on back-to-back days.

Niese will miss his start Tuesday against the Phillies as he transitions to the bullpen for the playoffs, Mike Vorkunov of The Star-Ledger reports.

EDGE Analysis

It was widely expected that Niese would move to the bullpen for the playoffs given how many good starters the Mets boast on their roster. The bullpen's long man Logan Verrett will get the start instead, something the Mets are probably fine with given they just clinched their division.

Niese won his ninth game of the season behind six shutout innings Monday against Atlanta. He struck out two, walked two, and allowed three hits.

EDGE Analysis

Niese induced 13 ground balls and needed just 88 pitches to get through six innings in the gem. This marks Niese's first shutout outing since July 19 against St. Louis, when he went 7.2 shutout and struck out three. Niese now has a pair of consecutive quality starts after allowing five runs in his previous four starts. His ERA is down to 4.16.

Niese was handed a no decision Sunday against the Braves, as he allowed three runs (two earned) with three strikeouts and one walk in six innings.

EDGE Analysis

Niese did not allow an extra-base hit and threw nearly 70 percent of his pitches for strikes, but the Mets' offense couldn't do enough against Braves starter Ryan Weber to earn him the win. The quality start snapped a streak of four outings in which Niese had allowed five or more runs, and he will look to build on this in his next scheduled start.

Niese was beaten up yet again Monday, allowing five runs in 3.1 innings while getting a no-decision.

EDGE Analysis

Niese has been a mess in his past four starts, allowing 23 runs in 19.2 innings of work. He's also been victimized by the long ball in each of his last six starts. The lefty will own a 4.36 ERA when he takes the bump against the Braves this Sunday.

Niese (8-10) took the loss Tuesday against Philadelphia, allowing six runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out two over five innings.

EDGE Analysis

Niese was roughed up for five runs in the third inning before leaving for a pinch-hitter after only throwing 69 pitches. His ERA has jumped from 3.50 to 4.17 over his last three starts. His next start will be Monday at Washington.

Niese picked up the win Sunday, allowing just three runs on five hits while striking out three batters over 6.2 innings in a 5-3 win over the Diamondbacks. Niese needed just 90 pitches to make it through six innings, as he kept the ball low throughout most of the contest, recording nine groundball outs. The lefty has thrown six or more innings in seven consecutive starts --- during that time he has seen his ERA dip 82 points (4.42-3.61) and has posted 33:16 K:BB ratio.