Niese expects to return from DL for Monday start

SAN DIEGO -- Left-hander Jon Niese "felt good" after throwing 28 pitches in a bullpen session Friday, keeping him on track to come off the disabled list and start Monday in Seattle.

Though Mets manager Terry Collins will not commit to Niese as his starter before seeing how the left-hander feels this weekend, Niese said he's "certain 100 percent I'm throwing Monday."

The Mets' best first-half pitcher, Niese has been on the DL since July 5 with what the team termed a left shoulder strain. A subsequent MRI revealed inflammation in the A/C joint of his shoulder.

Niese, who missed significant time this spring with shoulder and elbow issues and began the season on the DL, was 5-4 with a 2.96 ERA in 17 starts between injury stints.