Matt Moore will be activated by Tampa Bay Rays this week

According to Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune, Tampa Bay Rays left-hander will return to the active roster some time this week. Moore was placed on the 15-day disabled list on July 28th with an elbow issue in his throwing arm, and previously, there was no defined timetable for his return.

It is a bit unusual for a player of Moore’s caliber to return without a rehab outing in the minor leagues (especially with elbow trouble), but the 24-year-old threw a simulated game on Saturday and pronounced himself “ready to go” following the outing. Moore has been very effective this season, posting a 3.41 ERA over 121.1 innings. However, Moore’s walk rate has been very high throughout the season (currently at 4.15 BB/9) and that continues to be the main deterrent to his evolution as a front-end MLB starter.

With that said, Moore has a sparkling 14-3 record on the season, and while that has more to do with the team he pitches for than anything else, it is certainly an indication (of some sort) that he is a quality pitcher. Tampa Bay is in the midst of a big-time playoff push as they currently stand a half-game behind the Boston Red Sox in the AL East race. Along with David Price, Matt Moore is key to the success of their much-vaunted rotation, and they’ll need him at full strength to make a real push when October arrives.

The first outing will tell us a lot about Moore’s outlook for the future, but all signs are pointing to the positive side for Moore and the Rays.