Perhaps the Mets’ most important series so far this year began like so many Mets moments this year: with an injured pitcher.
Jon Niese was the latest to go down, lifted after just 21 pitches and one out recorded Tuesday at Busch Stadium in St. Louis.
The left-hander allowed a single to Brandon Moss with runners on first and second, and Niese ran behind the plate to back up the catcher. While no limping was obvious, he walked a bit gingerly back to the mound, where he was met by trainer Ray Ramirez.
Terry Collins pulled Niese from the game, and the team hadn’t yet announced the injury.