Mets' Jon Niese leaves Friday start with elevated heart rate

For the third time in his career, Mets lefty Jon Niese has had to cut short a start because of an accelerated heart rate.

Jon Niese was forced from his Friday start because of a rapid heartbeat. (USATSI)

On Friday, Mets left-hander Jon Niese was forced to exit his start against the Astros after 5 1/3 innings because of what was later announced as an elevated heart rate (HOU-NYM GameTracker). MLB.com has video of his departure from the game. 

As Matt Ehalt of the Bergen Record noted on Twitter, Niese was also forced to cut short starts in 2011 and 2012 with the same issue. The 2012 episode sidelined him for five days. 

This season, Niese, 27, has pitched to a 3.40 ERA and 3.07 K/BB ratio across 30 starts, including Friday's. He's signed through at least 2016.