With the news that Mike Pelfrey is going to miss his next start due to shoulder tendinitis the Mets have called up journeyman starting pitcher Nelson Figueroa to take his place in the rotation. Figueroa is being promoted from AAA Buffalo and in order to make room for him the Mets had to place reliever Darren O’Day on waivers.

O’Day was a Rule V pick from Anaheim so he will have to be offered back to the Angels for $25,000 where the Mets will ultimately lose him back to his original team.

In his short tenure with the Mets O’Day appeared in 4 games giving up 2 unearned runs and striking out 2 in 3 innings of work.

NY Post – Figueroa Likely to Start for Hurting Pelfrey

Mike Pelfrey appears increasingly likely to miss his start Sunday against the Brewers at Citi Field as a precaution because of forearm tendinitis. The Mets say a decision will not be announced until today, but they appeared to tip their hand yesterday when Nelson Figueroa — Pelfrey’s most likely replacement — was pulled just two innings into his start for Triple-A Buffalo.

NY Post – Willie’s Return to N.Y. ‘Brews’ Up Memories

Willie Randolph, this is your life. We now move past the glorious Bronx years, which Randolph revisited yesterday at the new Yankee Stadium’s opener, and take the Brooklyn native back to Queens, where the memories aren’t as peachy. Ten months after his middle-of-the-night firing as Mets manager, Randolph tonight will have a reunion, as bench coach for the Brewers, with his former troops.

Mets.com – Manuel anticipating reunion with Randolph

Brooklyn native Willie Randolph received a warm welcome in New York on Thursday, as the Brewers’ bench coach was on hand to help celebrate the opening of the new Yankee Stadium. On Friday night, Randolph will have another reunion in the Big Apple, and one that Mets manager Jerry Manuel believes might be just as nostalgic. “I’m excited to see Willie,” Manuel said. “I can’t wait to see Willie,” Manuel said. “I miss Willie.”

NY Times – Despite Recent Troubles, Mets’ Murphy Receives an O.K.

After seeing signs of stress in Daniel Murphy on Wednesday night, Mets Manager Jerry Manuel reassured him on Thursday afternoon that he still had confidence in him, despite Murphy’s recent struggles in left field and at the plate.  Murphy, whose costly error in Florida was the difference in the Marlins’ 2-1 win on Saturday, also bungled two plays in the first inning of the Mets’ 7-2 victory over the Padres on Wednesday, and was charged with his second error of the season.

NY Daily News – Willie Randolph visits Yankee Stadium, and the former Mets manager is heading to Citi

Willie Randolph will wake up Friday morning in his own bed. He will have breakfast at his own kitchen table, overlooking his sylvan backyard in Franklin Lakes, N.J., and then he will make a very familiar commute, with very unfamiliar feelings. Willie Randolph, No.33 in the Milwaukee Brewers’ road grays, bench coach to manager Ken Macha, has not only never been to Citi Field.

New York Post: ‘AWE,’ YEAH! PELFREY SET FOR BIG START

MIAMI — Mike Pelfrey tried to claim he would approach his historic start tonight at new Citi Field as just another game. Then the Mets’ big right-hander stopped himself and flashed his best “Who-am-I-kidding?” grin. “The reality of it is, it’s the opening of Citi Field,” Pelfrey said yesterday morning. “It’s going to be an awesome time.”

MLB: Heroes to Highlight Citi Field Opening

NEW YORK — When Citi Field officially opens its doors this evening, it will be an exercise in reverse for the heroes of Shea Stadium. The first act at Citi will be a reenactment of the final act of Shea, sans the sadness that touched so many in September. The last day of the 2008 season will hand the baton to the first day of the ’09 season.

NY Times: New Ballpark Statistic: Stadium’s Toilet Ratio

If nothing else, $2 billion worth of baseball ballparks should buy shorter waits for the restrooms, at least for women. Waiting in longer lines has been an uncomfortable, if not unhealthy, reality for generations of women at places like stadiums, arenas and theaters. Men may see relatively quick marches through the lavatories as a common joke.

Daily News: The fans’ guide to Citi Field

Citi Field blends the old (Ebbets Field) with the new (high-tech gadgets) to form a fans’ paradise. If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed by it all, let us give you a quick primer on all the food and fun at the Mets‘ brand new digs: Coolest Places The Fan Walk Even if you didn’t buy your own brick, this is a can’t-miss stop. You can spend hours checking out other fans’ bricks, but don’t forget to actually go into the park.