Jonathon Niese exits with shoulder injury

Mets starting pitcher Jonathon Niese was forced to leave his start Thursday against the Braves in the bottom of the fourth inning, due to discomfort in his left shoulder.

Niese allowed three runs on eight hits in 3 1/3 innings, while striking out five batters. He threw 61 pitches before leaving after throwing a pitch to Tyler Pastornicky.

The extent of the injury is not clear, but Niese did miss a start earlier in the month due to shoulder tendinitis. His  next start is scheduled for Wednesday at the White Sox, but it is obviously in doubt until he receives a more thorough diagnosis.