After the Mets lost to the Cardinals yesterday afternoon, Terry Collins told reporters that Jon Rauch had been feeling tenderness in his pitching elbow. Rauch had his arm checked out today, and discovered debris, according to ESPN New York. As a result, he will stay in New York as the Mets play a three-game series in Washington, D.C.

Rauch will supposedly be back by the Mets' series in the Bronx this weekend, but it would come as no surprise if he eventually hit the disabled list.

Signed to a one-year, $3.5 million contract prior to the season, Rauch has posted a 4.76 ERA and 2.97 FIP in 22.2 innings with the Mets. He's struck out just 5.16 per nine innings, but he's limited his walks to 1.59 per nine.

In the short term, Collins says he'll use Bobby Parnell as the team's primary setup man, which makes sense. Parnell's 3.00 ERA and 2.93 FIP are the best among the right-handed relief pitchers on the team. Only Tim Byrdak, who also has a 3.00 ERA, has a lower FIP in the Mets' bullpen at 2.28.