Moore returns to Rays' rotation Thursday
Left-hander set for first start in 14 months after Tommy John surgery
ST. PETERSBURG -- Rays left-hander Matt Moore cleared the last hurdle on his way back from the Tommy John surgery he underwent on April 22, 2014, and will make his first start of the season on Thursday against the Indians.
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Moore threw a 35-pitch bullpen session on Monday, and the Rays announced after Monday night's 7-1 loss to the Indians that the left-hander would return to the rotation for the series finale against Cleveland.
"It almost seems as if the last 14 months were kind of foggy when I was thinking of certain moments," Moore said. "To be back here, finally, knowing I don't have another plane ride and no more rehab starts, it feels good."
Jake Odorizzi, who also threw a bullpen session on Monday, had his rehab start at Class-A Port Charlotte moved to Wednesday in order to get him off the same schedule as Moore. The right-hander will throw 60 pitches for the Stone Crabs, and then will have a meeting with the Rays to decide whether he needs another rehab start or if he will return to the rotation.
Worth noting
• Designated hitter John Jaso (left wrist contusion) took batting practice at Tropicana Field during his scheduled day off from his rehab assignment in Port Charlotte. He will resume playing Tuesday as the Stone Crabs' designated hitter.
• First baseman James Loney (fractured left middle finger) also joined Jaso in batting practice and Rays manager Kevin Cash said that there is "a chance" he could begin a rehab assignment "in the next couple of days."