Rays Send Top Pitcher Matt Moore To The 15-Day DL

If there’s one thing that can stop a hard driving team in it’s tracks it’s a front line stud starter going down. The Tampa Bay Rays may be about to enter baseball’s Twilight Zone and their fans are crossing their fingers and holding their breath.

Jul 28, 2013; Bronx, NY, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher Matt Moore (55) pitches against the New York Yankees during a game at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The Tampa Bay Rays placed pitcher Matt Moore on the 15-Day DL Wednesday with a sore elbow. Moore has quite simply been lights out (14-3 with a 3.41 ERA) for the Rays this season and has been a big part of their 64-44 record that has them squarely in a dogfight with the Red Sox for first place.

After Moore felt discomfort in his elbow while throwing a changeup in the second inning of a game at Yankee Stadium Sunday, he was placed on the 15-day DL by the Rays retroactive to Monday. Moore did not inform Rays trainers of the injury until after the game.

The timing of the injury and Moore’s trip to the DL could not have worked out better for the Rays. Because Tampa Bay has five days off in a row in August the Rays won’t need a replacement. Because of the days off the Rays will stick with a four-man rotation until Moore returns

Alex Cobb, who has been on the DL since June 15, is also coming back from being hit in the head with a line drive.