Black (shoulder) has been shut down for the rest of the season, Anthony Dicomo of MLB.com reports.

As expected, Black's season will end early after being diagnosed with a "mild" rotator cuff strain last week. While the issue likely won't hamper him long-term, the Mets, who have long been out of contention, won't take any chances. Black will finish the season with a 2.60 ERA and 1.298 WHIP in 34.2 major league innings.

Black (shoulder) has been diagnosed with a "mild" rotator cuff strain, according to general manager Sandy Alderson, and there's a good chance he is done for the season, MLB.com's Anthony DiComo reports.

It certainly makes sense that the Mets would want to be careful with Black, who is one of the team's top relief pitchers. Fortunately, the fact that he has not been 100 percent ruled out for the season suggests that it's something he'll be able to fully recover from in time for the start of the 2015 season.

Black (shoulder) will undergo a precautionary MRI on Sunday, The Record reports.

Black has been dealing with weakness and soreness in his throwing shoulder since returning from the DL on September 8. With only a dozen games remaining, and the Mets well out of contention, it's possible Black will be sidelined for the remainder of the season. "We're going to be very, very careful," manager Terry Collins said.

Black will be examined by team doctors after experiencing shoulder weakness during Saturday's game against the Nationals, Adam Rubin of ESPN reports.

Rubin reports that Black's four-seam fastball averaged 93.8 mph, about 2.5 mph off of his average speed, and Black said after the game he felt an ache in his shoulder. Black tossed one inning of relief against the Nationals, throwing 18 pitches and allowing a hit and an earned run. He was just activated from the DL on Monday after missing time with a herniated disk in his neck.

Black (neck) was activated from the 15-day DL on Monday.

Though his season was considered in jeopardy as recently as two weeks ago, he made significant strides in his recovery from a herniated disc in his neck over the last few days to earn his way back to the Mets bullpen. He cleared a final hurdle by tossing a side session prior to Monday's game, with manager Terry Collins and the team trainer both signing off on his activation. He'll act as one of the top setup men to closer Jenrry Mejia.

Black, who is out with a herniated disc in his neck, may be activated when eligible Monday, the Star-Ledger reports.

Black was expected to miss the rest of the year. so his possible return is surprising. He threw a bullpen session Thursday and had no ill-effects, paving the way for his future activation.

Black, who was placed on the 15-day DL Thursday retroactive to Aug. 24, likely will miss the rest of the season, Kristie Ackert of the the NY Daily News reports.

Black received an injection in his neck to aid the healing. He won't needed surgery but is expected to need to rest for six weeks. Black had a breakthrough campaign out of the bullpen, stranding 25 of 26 inherited runners while displaying better control lately, he should head into spring training as the favorite to open 2015 as the team's seventh-inning reliever.

Black was placed on the 15-day DL Thursday retroactive to Aug. 24.

Black is dealing with a herniated disk in his neck, which should put him on the shelf for at least another week at the minimum. If he does return prior to the conclusion of the 2014 season, he'll once again serve in middle relief. Daisuke Matsuzaka was activated to take his roster spot.

Black has been diagnosed with a slight herniated disc in his neck, Jared Diamond of the Wall Street Journal reports.

While the injury sounds concerning, manager Terry Collins' said Black's herniated disc isn't nearly a severe as an ailment of a similar nature that resulted in season-ending surgery for fellow reliever Bobby Parnell last September. Instead, the Mets just plan to have Black rest the next few days, after he received an injection Thursday. He's not expected to land on the DL.

Black (neck) is expected to miss the next few days, Marc Carig of Newsday reports.

With fellow reliever Josh Edgin also unavailable for the next day or two due to elbow inflammation, Black's injury puts the Mets bullpen in a tough spot. If starter Zack Wheeler fails to go six or seven innings Wednesday against the Braves, the team may have no choice but to recall another reliever from the minors.

Black was unavailable Tuesday night due to a stiff neck, Marc Carig of Newsday reports.

Manager Terry Collins said he held Black out as a precautionary measure to give him an extra day of recovery. He expects the hard-throwing reliever to be ready to go for Wednesday's game against the Braves.

Vic Black stranded the bases loaded in the Mets' 7-3 win over the Cubs and now has not allowed 20 straight inherited runners to score/

The Mets' bullpen is the second best in baseball in stranding inherited runners and Black has been a big part of their success. Black has done a much better job of throwing strikes and reducing his walks the last month, contributing to his success out of the pen.

Black allowed a two-run triple to Chase Utley in the Mets' 7-6 loss to the Phillies on Sunday.

Black retired the first two hitters with ease to start the seventh, but then allowed a pair of singles and Utley's triple to help continue the Phillies rally. Prior to Sunday, Black had been unscored upon in his last seven appearances. With the back end of the Mets' bullpen overworked, despite the poor effort Sunday, look for Black to possibly be used more often in the next few weeks.

Mets recalled RHP Vic Black from Triple-A Las Vegas.

As expected. Black has been mentioned as a possible closer, but he'll have to iron out his control issues to become an impact arm.

The Mets are expected to recall right-hander Vic Black from Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday.

He's expected to take the roster spot of Jose Valverde, who was released on Monday. Black functioned as the 26th man for Sunday's doubleheader, but he should get a longer look this time around.

Vic Black will join the Mets on Sunday to serve as the 26th man for their doubleheader against the Diamondbacks.

Black has had mixed results at Triple-A Las Vegas, compiling a 1.45 ERA, though he has allowed a ton of baserunners with a 1.55 WHIP and 18/17 K/BB ratio in 18 2/3 innings of work. Until he can consistently throw strikes, he won't be an option to join the Mets bullpen.

Mets right-handed pitching prospect Vic Black struck out two and walked one in his return from the disabled list due to a pinched nerve in his neck.

Black has struck out four batters in two innings and has yet to allow a hit on the season, but has walked three batters and hit a fourth. He is the epitome of the relief pitcher who walks too many but allows few hits while striking out many batters. If he can keep his walks below four per nine, he could be an elite closer.

Mets placed RHP Vic Black on the disabled list at Triple-A Las Vegas with a pinched nerve in his neck.

The injury is not believed to be serious. As a result, Black is expected to be activated later this week.

Mets optioned RHP Vic Black to Triple-A Las Vegas.

The Mets were hoping that Black would emerge as a set-up man for Bobby Parnell, but he pitched himself out of a job this spring by posting a 6.75 ERA and eight walks over nine innings. He'll try to work on his control in the minors. Meanwhile, Jose Valverde appears to be the most likely option to set up for Parnell, at least initially.

Vic Black allowed two hits and hit a batter before being pulled from Monday's appearance against the Cardinals.

Black didn't get an out in the game. He currently has a 6.75 ERA, and he's walked nine in eight innings this spring. Black was supposed to be the Mets' fallback in the closer's role this year if Bobby Parnell didn't recover from neck surgery as hoped. Now he's probably going to start off in Triple-A because of how poorly he's pitched of late.