Mike

Pelfrey

Pelfrey pitched in one game with Triple-A Norfolk after he was demoted. The Mets will likely be very cautious with their top pitching prospect. He might not be called up until rosters expand in September.

Pelfrey was in line for a win because the Mets scored their fifth run in the top of the seventh. However, Billy Wagner failed to get the job done in the ninth. While the run Pelfrey gave up in the first inning tonight was more right fielder Lastings Milledge’s fault, Pelfrey didn’t help himself by walking four and allowing four extra-base hits. He’s probably going to return to the minors, as the Mets have a full rotation without him.

“I think I’ll probably be throwing in a game sometime next weekend, maybe Saturday or Sunday,” Pelfrey said. He has returned to Norfolk where he will begin throwing on the side keeping his arm ready.

Not a surprise. Pelfrey’s departure leaves John Maine as the club’s fifth starter.

Pelfrey was 2-1 with a 5.48 ERA and a 1.73 WHIP in his four starts for the Mets. He flashed his No. 2-starter potential at times, but he’s going to have to be more consistent with his offspeed pitches in order to become a quality major leaguer. The demotion means John Maine will keep his rotation spot.

Pelfrey was promoted out of Double-A, so it was his first outing in the International League. The 22-year-old struck out three and walked two while throwing 47 of his 90 pitches for strikes.

Pelfrey seems to be figuring out Double-A, turning in three straight impressive outings. He struck out seven and walked one last night. If this keeps up, he’ll probably move up to the majors next month.

Consider him day-to-day.

He gave up six hits, walked one and struck out five. Pelfrey had his start pushed back two days because of an upset stomach.

Pelfrey has pitched quite a bit better in his last two starts, but he still has a 1.66 WHIP to go along with his 3.41 ERA in seven starts in the Eastern League. The Mets figure to leave him in the minors through the All-Star break at least.