Rays' Matt Moore suffers torn UCL, out at least a month

Matt Moore said he didn't feel a pop, which is usually typical for complete tears of the UCL. (Ed Zurga/Getty Images)

Rays pitcher Matt Moore has suffered a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow and is out at least a month as he weighs his options, whether it be rehab or surgery.

Roger Mooney of the Tampa Tribune confirmed the news after further testing was done on the 24-year-old's elbow on Wednesday. Looking ahead, Moore, an All-Star last year, will either be out at least a month if he goes the route of a rehab program, or he will miss approximately 12 months if the team decides that Tommy John surgery is the best option.

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Though it's not looking good for Moore's prospects of returning any time soon, Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon cautioned that it's not necessarily "a slam-dunk surgery right now."

“Honestly, let's just wait until (today). I don't have everything in. It needs to be looked at a little more deeply, because it's not a slam-dunk surgery right now."

Maddon added that he doesn't think it's fully torn. The diagnosis comes after Moore was placed on the DL on Tuesday after experiencing "elbow soreness." He had left Monday's loss to the Royals in the fifth inning citing pain in his left elbow after he had thrown a changeup. The MRI the next day was inconclusive so he flew to Pensacola on Wednesday to meet with renowned orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews for a second MRI.

Since making his MLB debut with the Rays in 2011, Moore had a career 29-15 record heading into this season with a 3.55 ERA and 333 strikeouts.

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