Moore to have Tommy John surgery, out for season

BALTIMORE -- Matt Moore is having Tommy John surgery to repair the ulnar-collateral ligament in his left elbow next week and will miss the rest of the season, according to Rays manager Joe Maddon.

Moore played catch with head athletic trainer Ron Porterfield prior to Monday's Rays-Orioles game at Camden Yards.

After the game, Maddon said he did not have an update on Moore's condition after that litmus test, but Maddon later confirmed with a text that Moore would be having the season-ending surgery.

Moore, who went 17-4 with a 3.29 ERA in 27 starts in 2013, started for the Rays against the Royals on April 7 and seemed to be finding a groove when he entered the fifth inning. With one out, he grimaced after throwing a changeup to Nori Aoki that made the count 2-2. Moore then wiggled his left arm in obvious discomfort before a mound conference that included Maddon and assistant athletic trainer Paul Harker. Shortly thereafter, Moore left the game.

On Tuesday, Moore's first MRI of the week did not paint a clear picture of his injury. Later that day, the Rays placed him on the 15-day disabled list and scheduled his visit to Pensacola, Fla., to renown orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews.

Based on the results of Moore's second MRI, the Rays debated whether he should have surgery or try rehabbing the injury because he did not have a complete tear of the ulnar-collateral ligament in his left elbow.

Monday's catch session was to have been a determining factor in the final decision, so Moore obviously did not feel right during or after he played catch.

Included in Moore's 2013 season was a prolonged stint on the disabled list because of an elbow problem -- a problem he encountered after throwing a changeup, which was the same pitch that caused Tuesday night's grimace.

Moore earned American League All-Star honors last season, his second full season in the Major Leagues. He will finish the 2014 season at 0-2 with a 2.79 ERA in two starts.