Mets placed RHP Mike Pelfrey on the 15-day disabled list with a right elbow injury. Pelfrey is getting an MRI on his throwing elbow Tuesday to determine whether there's any structural damage. Mets GM Sandy Alderson told reporters that a ligament tear has not been ruled out. Robert Carson has been promoted from Triple-A Syracuse to take the right-hander's 25-man roster spot, but a rotation replacement has not been decided upon.

Andy Martino of the New York Daily News reports that, in a recent meeting, the Mets front office discussed releasing Mike Pelfrey prior to Opening Day. Martino writes that "none of the uniformed staff was in favor of the idea, and it was downplayed." If the Mets would have cut him, they would owe the right-hander just $1 million of his $5.6875 million contract and would have slid Chris Schwinden into the rotation as a replacement. Pelfrey did have his best outing of the spring Thursday, giving up just one run over 6 1/3 innings to lower his ERA to a still-awful 8.59. Though it doesn't appear he'll be cut loose, it's clear the righty will be on a short leash this year.

Mike Pelfrey surrendered five runs -- four earned -- and eight hits in six innings against the Cardinals on Saturday. Don't laugh, but this qualifies as a big improvement for Pelfrey. His ERA dropped from 14.90 to 11.49. We're just guessing, but it doesn't seem too likely the Mets will get any offers for Pelfrey while he's struggling like this.

According to CBSSports.com's Jon Heyman, the Mets are entertaining the idea of trading Mike Pelfrey. Heyman also suggests that the market is unwilling to return fair value. Pelfrey's contract isn't guaranteed, so the Mets can release him to recover three-quarters of his $5.6875 million salary. The 27-year-old right-hander currently owns a 14.90 ERA in three appearances this spring.

Mike Pelfrey was tagged for four runs in 4 1/3 innings by the Cardinals on Tuesday. David Freese and Yadier Molina homered off Pelfrey, who is sporting a 10.29 ERA through two outings this spring. We weren't recommending him in NL-only leagues anyway.

Mike Pelfrey surrendered four runs in 2 2/3 innings Thursday versus the Marlins. Pelfrey was quite unimpressive in allowing six hits, walking two and striking out no one. It's still early, but he has a lot of work to do to get ready for the season. The Mets might have been better off spending his $5.7 million elsewhere, though they probably would have just bought another reliever.

The Mets and RHP Mike Pelfrey avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $5.675 million contract. Pelfrey registered a disappointing 4.74 ERA and 105/65 K/BB ratio across 193 2/3 innings last year. He's set to become a free agent following the 2012 season.

Andy Martino of the New York Daily News reports that the Mets have listened to offers for Mike Pelfrey but were "underwhelmed" by what teams were willing to offer. They must have have been thoroughly lackluster offers given that Pelfrey is coming off a season where he posted a 4.74 ERA and 1.47 WHIP and is set to make as much as $6 million through arbitration. The right-hander is set to become a free agent following the 2012 season.

Mike Pelfrey's agent Scott Boras said Monday that he fully expects the Mets to tender his client a contract for 2012. Not a shocker. While Pelfrey is due between $5-6 million in his final year of arbitration and can be frustrating to watch on the mound, the Mets value him as an innings-eater. The 27-year-old right-hander posted an underwhelming 4.74 ERA in 2011, but has pitched at least 184 1/3 innings each of the last four seasons. Count on him being a part of the rotation in 2012.

Mike Pelfrey was knocked around by the Phillies Sunday, allowing five runs on nine hits and a walk over just three innings. It's a fitting end to a lackluster year for the right-hander, as Pelfrey fell to 7-13 while watching his ERA go up to 4.74 and WHIP rise to 1.47. The Mets are expected to retain him by tendering him a contract this winter, but Pelfrey will likely go into next year as only a borderline NL-only league play.