There was some hope that the Tampa Bay Rays would be getting starting pitcher Matt Moore back this season but that simply will not be the case. After trying to give a comeback a try without first having surgery, Moore has conceded and opted to have Tommy John survey.
Moore confirmed the news to the Tampa Bay Times, a decision that will end his 2014 campaign and possibly delay his start to the 2015 season.
"Moore told the Tampa Bay Times after Monday’s 7-1 loss to the Orioles of his decision to have Tommy John ligament replacement surgery, saying the discomfort he felt during an afternoon throwing session made it clear he could not pitch with a partially torn ulnar collateral ligament."
Given that he’s having the surgery so early on this season, there’s a much higher chance of him returning at the start of the 2015 season. But while he could return at the start of next season, there’s the possibility that he’ll never return to the level he was at prior to the surgery.
This isn’t a fatal blow to the Rays season but Moore having surgery just made their fight in 2014 a lot harder.