Mets LHP Jonathon Niese to have surgery for torn knee cartilage

NEW YORK -- Mets left-hander Jonathon Niese will undergo surgery on Thursday to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee.

He has only a slight chance of returning his season.

Team doctor Struan Coleman will perform the procedure at the Hospital for Special Surgery in Manhattan.

Niese departed Tuesday's start against the St. Louis Cardinals after facing only four batters. He had arrived with the lingering knee injury in an Aug. 1 trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates for fellow left-hander Antonio Bastardo.

Niese's second tour of duty with the Mets likely will end this offseason. The Mets are unlikely to exercise a $10 million option for 2017.

Robert Gsellman, who replaced Niese against the Cardinals on Tuesday, will take over the rotation spot beginning with Sunday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citi Field, according to manager Terry Collins.

Niese, 29, went 0-1 with an 11.45 ERA in six appearances (two starts) with the Mets this month. He had been traded to Pittsburgh last December for second baseman Neil Walker.