Niese to return to rotation, start Sunday in Arizona

NEW YORK -- On Sunday, Jonathon Niese will once again be active and taking the mound against the Arizona Diamondbacks. For the first time this season, the Mets will have their full complement of starters that includes Zack Wheeler and Jenrry Mejia.

"They're all quality guys, that's the biggest thing," New York manager Terry Collins said.

Niese started on Opening Day for the Mets and went on the disabled list on June 21, with a partially torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder. New York has officially slotted him to start the series finale on Sunday in Arizona against Zeke Spruill.

"Certainly it's good to have him back in the rotation," Collins said of his starting pitcher.

Collins knows he will have to be cautious with the left-hander early in his return. He threw 80 pitches in his final rehab start with Double-A Binghamton on Tuesday, but Collins would like him to feel comfortable throwing 100.

Collins and his staff will monitor the lefty for any signs of fatigue in the shoulder, but he's mostly excited about the extra look that Niese gives the rotation.

"I know I'll have to watch him a little bit early, but to have him back is certainly to our advantage to have him in there," Collins said. "Especially having a left-handed pitcher in the rotation, which we haven't had."