in january, the mets avoided arbitration, signing maine to a one-year, $2.6 million contract. maine initially struggled coming off the shoulder surgery, posting a 5.40 era to go with a 1–2 record in four april starts. however, he bounced back in his six starts in may, going 4–1 with an era of 2.75, nearly half of his april era. after a poor start in june, he was placed on the 15-day disabled list due to arm fatigue. maine would stay on the dl with arm fatigue and numerous setbacks for a long amount of time. he eventually came back in mid-september and was eased back into the rotation, going more than 5 innings only once. in his last start of the season against the astros, he went 7.0 innings letting up one earned run with 7 strikeouts, with that encouraging start he gave the mets more certainty that he can return to his '07 form in the 2010 season. he finished the 2009 season with a 7–6 win/loss record throwing 81.1 innings with an era of 4.43.