One strong outing isn’t going to change the fact that Mike Pelfrey has been a frustrating enigma this season, but his eight innings of one-run ball Sunday in a 4-2 win over the Cubs at Citi Field offered some hope.

There are never any guarantees with John Maine, of course, but the oft-injured right hander says his shoulder feels good enough to let him return to the Mets’ rotation Sunday night in Philadelphia.

Colleague Larry Brooks writes that Maine’s rollercoaster ride with injuries this season underscore the Mets’ need for new doctors.

In the notes, Carlos Beltran says his rehab is over and that he’s ready to rejoin the Mets.