Nelson Figueroa Starts Sunday, Darren O’Day DFA’d

Newsday is reporting that Mike Pelfrey will not make his scheduled start Sunday against the Brewers because of right forearm tendinitis. Shortly after the Mets beat the Brewers, 5-4, on Friday, they announced that Nelson Figueroa will be Pelfrey’s replacement and that Darren O’Day had been designated for assignment to make room on the roster.The plan is for Pelfrey to miss only one start, be available out of the bullpen in an emergency this week and then return to the rotation Saturday against the Nationals at Citi Field. Calling him a “big piece of the puzzle,” manager Jerry Manuel preferred to take a long-term approach with Pelfrey.

“We’re going to exercise caution in this matter,” Manuel said. “We don’t want any more setbacks. We want him to make all his starts for the rest of the year. If this was September, he would pitch.”

Pelfrey echoed those sentiments. Although he was not in favor of skipping a start, Pelfrey already was feeling immediate improvement in the forearm. He played catch before yesterday’s game and did not experience the same discomfort.

Figgy had some good moments for us in 2008, and I’m looking forward to a solid start tomorrow.

The question is, will he remain with the team and stay on in the bullpen afterward now that O’Day has been designated for assignment.