MLB Rumors: Matt Moore diagnosed with torn ulnar collateral ligament (UCL)

The Tampa Bay Rays and pitcher Matt Moore had hoped to avoid surgery after the young pitcher went down with an arm injury earlier this week. Unfortunately, that’s extremely unlikely as the 24-year-old has been diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament, better known as his UCL.

UCL injuries almost always end up in Tommy John surgery, an operation that would force Moore to miss the remainder of the 2014 season and part of the 2015 season as well.

"Further testing on Matt Moore’s left elbow Wednesday revealed a tear in the ulnar collateral ligament. The Rays and Moore are deciding on the next step, which is either surgery or rehabilitation.“Honestly, let’s just wait until (today). I don’t have everything in,” Rays manager Joe Maddon said after Wednesday’s 7-3 loss to the Royals. “It needs to be looked at a little more deeply, because it’s not a slam-dunk surgery right now.”"

It’s possible that the Rays and Moore may opt to rehab the injury without an operation though it’s not a sure thing that will fix the problem, only delay the inevitable.

For now it doesn’t appear as if a decision has been made on how Moore will proceed, but there’s no doubt it’s a sad day in Tampa.