Cardinals right-hander Adam Wainwright could be headed back to the disabled list with elbow soreness after he lasted just 2⅓ innings Sunday in a 5-3 loss to the Padres.

The 36-year-old pitcher was activated from the 10-day disabled list after a bout with right elbow inflammation. He walked six, allowed two runs on three hits and struck out three while throwing 79 pitches.

Wainwright said he aggravated his elbow problem on the third-to-last warm-up pitch.