The New York Mets have chosen not to tender right-handed starting pitcher Mike Pelfrey a contract for the 2013 season, instead opting to make the former No. 9 overall draft pick in the 2005 draft an available player in the free agent pool, according to Adam Rubin of ESPN New York.

At 28 years of age, Pelfrey made just three starts for the Mets before undergoing Tommy John surgery on May 1, 2012, but tells Adam Rubin of ESPN New York he expects to be ready to pitch next season. The righty pitched well, too, posting a 2.29 ERA with a 3.25 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Pelfrey, who was arbitration-eligible for the last time this offseason, earned $5.675 million in 2012. He would have earned around that number next season, despite the surgery, helping the Mets opt against tendering the right-handed starter a contract for next season.

While the Mets could still bring back Pelfrey for 2013, the right-handed starter believes he will pitch elsewhere for the first time in his career.