Raley awaits word on ‘complex’ elbow issue

Next up for Brooks Raley is a visit to Texas on Tuesday to see Dr. Keith Meister.

Beyond that, the Mets lefty doesn’t know what awaits. He is hoping the doctor’s appointment will clear up a lot of questions.

Raley, who has been on the injured list since April 21, said he has received several different opinions on his throwing elbow and his situation is “a little more complex.”

The Post’s Joel Sherman reported last week that Raley has at least a fraying of a ligament in the elbow. Raley acknowledged that he has heard the same, and has heard other potential diagnoses from doctors.

“I’ve heard other damage — spurs, things like that,” Raley said Saturday in his first public comments since the fears about his elbow became pronounced. “I think it’s a little more complex.”

Raley mentioned both the internal brace procedure and Tommy John as at least possibilities if Meister believes a surgery is necessary.

Such developments would be crushing for a pitcher who turns 36 next month, was drafted back in 2009 — the same year as Stephen Strasburg — and had emerged as a quality arm in the back of the Mets’ bullpen.

Raley last pitched on April 19 in Los Angeles, which followed a homestand when his elbow began to bother him, and it “got gradually worse,” he said.

The initial belief was Raley would need just the minimum amount of time on the 15-day IL because preliminary MRI exam results showed inflammation and nothing worse.

“Get a few more eyes on it, they’re like, ‘Hold on a second,’ ” Raley said before the Mets lost to the Braves, 4-1, at Citi Field on Saturday.

Raley tried to throw through the issue, but his elbow didn’t feel right. He has been shut down and is hoping the inflammation will settle to a point that he can continue pitching without a procedure that would jeopardize the rest of his career. The Mets hold a $6.5 million option for Raley for next season.