Jon Niese threw 4.2 innings in a simulated game in Port St. Lucie on Tuesday night, allowing four runs (two earned) while walking one and striking out four. He threw 49 of 76 pitches for strikes.

This is the second minor league start since Niese received a cortisone shot in his pitching elbow to alleviate inflammation.

“For the most part, I think I’ll get better with each start,” Niese said. “I’m still kind of in the process of getting my arm in shape, but my next outing will be 90 or 95 pitches. The timetable is still the same.”

Niese looked very sharp and is on target to be activated on Saturday, April 6 for his start against the Cincinnati Reds at Citi Field.

As the only lefthander in our rotation, Niese keeps progressing and distancing himself from that elbow scare last month.

Quite frankly, this team could use some good news right about now and having Niese step on a mound this weekend and deliver a strong performance will be a nice shot in the arm. (Get it? Shot in the arm?)

Our own Destry Swaim projected Niese as follows:

When he’s on and healthy, Niese is one of the best left handed starters in baseball.  He’s not an ace, but he can be a #2.  He’s only 27 years old, and will be all season long.

Niese has great stuff and throws a 90-91 MPH fastball,  88-89 MPH cutter, 74-76 MPH curveball, and 82-84 MPH change up.  He falls in love with his cutter sometimes, and it seemed like he lost the feel for his curve somewhat last season, but he can command all of his pitches, and throw them all for strikes at any point in the count.

2014 Projection: 23 GS – .271 BAA – 1.30 WHIP – 3.64 ERA – 1.3 WAR