Jon Rauch has tender elbow examined

Today hasn’t been a good day for Mets’ reliever Jon Rauch.

After giving up a go-ahead two-run homer to Allen Craig in a loss to the Cardinals, Rauch was sent to the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York to have his right elbow examined.

Mets manager Terry Collins told Adam Rubin of ESPN New York after today’s game that Rauch has dealt with tenderness in the elbow at various times this season, including today’s relief appearance.

“Right now we’re going to have him checked,” Collins said. “He’s got a little tenderness. ... He’s been doing fine with it. He said it pops up once in a while. And today, he said, after he got warm and got on the mound, all of a sudden his arm was bothering him. We’re going to have it looked at.”

We should learn more on his status before tomorrow’s series opener against the Nationals.

Rauch, who joined the Mets this offseason on a one-year, $3.5 million contract, has a 4.76 ERA and 13/4 K/BB ratio over 22 2/3 innings this season. If he requires a stint on the disabled list, Bobby Parnell will likely serve as the primary bridge to closer Frank Francisco.