— CUMBERLAND — To say these are the best of times and the worst of times for Tobi Stoner would not only be trite, but not entirely true.

Let’s just say they are the best of times in that Stoner, the former All-Area baseball player from Southern Garrett High School, who has pitched in the New York Mets system since 2006, including five games in the major leagues the past two seasons to an ERA of 3.97, will be honored Sunday, Jan. 30, by the Dapper Dan Club of Allegany County with its top award, the George W. Stevenson-Nicholas A. Perlozzo Memorial Award, for bringing the most national recognition to the area through athletics.

But let us also say they are very uncertain times for the right-hander, as Stoner, 26, was designated for assignment by the Mets on Thursday, meaning if he isn’t traded he will be placed on waivers, where he can be claimed by any major league team.

After appearing in four games with the Mets in 2009, Stoner opened the 2010 season in Class AAA Buffalo, where he was the Bisons’ Opening Day starter. However, due to elbow problems, which led to August surgery, Stoner struggled to a 6-10 season with a 5.97 ERA in 23 appearances (22 starts). In between, however, he did return to the Mets and made one big-league relief appearance, pitching 2 1-3 innings and allowing one earned run.

“I understand,” Stoner said of his designation. “It’s 100 percent business.

“Last year was a rough year. I had arm problems just about every time I pitched. I know that the Mets made trades, brought people in, signed some free agents. They had to make room. I totally 100 percent understand.”

It was the Mets’ most recent acquisitions of pitcher Chris Young and outfielder Scott Hairston that led to Stoner and outfielder Jason Pridie being designated to make room on the club’s 40-man roster.

While the action itself did not surprise Stoner, who also pitched for Garrett College and Davis & Elkins, before being selected by the Mets in the 16th round of the 2006 draft, the timing of the action did.

“Yes, especially at this time of year,” said Stoner. “Whenever the chance for me to be designated earlier in the season came, when I was having arm problems and facing surgery, I thought it might happen then. But then I got the call (on Thursday) and it did take me by surprise.

“I hope it works out for the best. I hope other teams have interest in me, and I hope I can help them.

“Mostly, I just want to pitch next year. That’s the important thing.”

Stoner has no idea about any potential trades, although he should know what his next step will be either today or Monday as a move must be made 72 hours after designation.

“Whatever I can do to have a job, to be honest with you,” he said. “That’s the important thing right now. The business side will take its toll, and hopefully I can be picked up by a team, or used by a team in a way that will best suit me and best help the team.”

While he finds himself in limbo, he said, oddly enough, the past three days have not been as stressful for him as one might imagine.

“To be honest, it hasn’t been hard,” he said. “It is what it is; it’s out of my control. I can’t do anything; it’s a waiting game. I try not to think about it or predict what team will pick me up, or if I’ll be back with the Mets.

“I just want to do what I can to get back to the major leagues.”

Stoner has worked hard during the offseason and believes wherever he lands, his new, or old, team him will find his injuries are behind him.

“I’m doing really well,” he said. “I’ve been cleared by the doctor. I had the elbow surgery in August, and my arm is doing wonderfully. The soreness in my shoulder that I felt through the winter, it’s getting better and it’s strengthening up.

“Everything is positive. I just have to wait and see if I’m on a team next year.”

In the meantime, while he waits for the call to continue his pitching career, he’ll be brushing up on an acceptance speech — the one he will deliver Sunday night as the recipient of the Dapper Dan Club’s most prestigious honor.

“It is an honor; an absolute honor,” Stoner said of being the Dapper Dan’s top award winner. “I didn’t expect it, that’s for sure. Especially since last year when Sam Perlozzo was honored with the top award ... To follow him, to receive the same award he has received so many times, and that so many outstanding people in our area have earned; for me, this is nothing but an honor.

“I’m most definitely looking forward to it.”

The 63rd annual Dapper Dan Awards Banquet will take place at the Ali Ghan Shrine Club. Dinner will be served at 4 p.m. and the program begins at 5 p.m. For ticket information, call The Original Sports Shoppe at 301-722-5490.

Mike Burke is sports editor of the Cumberland Times-News. Write to him at mburke@times-news.com