Mets say Niese MRI shows no major problems

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. (AP) The New York Mets say an MRI on pitcher Jon Niese's ailing left shoulder did not show any major problems.

Projected to be the Mets' opening-day starter, Niese had been scratched from his opening exhibition start, against Houston next Tuesday, and replaced by Zack Wheeler.

Mets manager Terry Collins says the club will have Niese back on the mound, ''as soon as we can.''

''There's no shoulder problems at all,'' Collins said Thursday. ''He's got some weakness in his scap (scapula) area that is minor. They think in a few days he'll be back and ready to go. It was very, very good news.''

Niese was sent back to New York for the MRI on Wednesday after he complained of shoulder pain.

NOTES: Mets pitching prospect Noah Syndergaard allowed one run and struck out five in two innings of work in Blue-Orange intrasquad game, which primarily featured the club's minor league players. The Blue Team won 5-2. Dillon Gee allowed two runs and five hits and struck out two in 1 2-3 innings and took the loss. Gee said he felt good but was struggling to throw his slider and changeup for strikes. Andrew Brown and Danny Muno hit home runs. ... Tom Gamboa will manage the Brooklyn Cyclones, the Mets' short-season A affiliate. Tom Signore will be the Cyclones' pitching coach and Benny Distefano will serve as hitting coach.