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Matt Moore to rejoin Rays rotation Thursday

 
Left-hander Matt Moore, who was an All-Star in 2013, is set to make his first major-league start since having Tommy John surgery in April 2014.
Left-hander Matt Moore, who was an All-Star in 2013, is set to make his first major-league start since having Tommy John surgery in April 2014.
Published June 30, 2015

ST. PETERSBURG — With a 35-pitch bullpen session Monday, LHP Matt Moore cleared the final hurdle in completing his recovery and rehab from April 2014 Tommy John surgery and will rejoin the Rays rotation Thursday.

"Definitely ready to go," he said.

As long as the road back has been, the 2013 All-Star said there are times when the 14 months feels like a blur.

"To be back here finally knowing I don't have another plane ride or any more rehab starts feels good," he said. "I'm just happy to be back, and be back with the guys. That's the big thing, my teammates and wanting to contribute and be a part of what's going on here. The clubhouse and the dugout, that's probably been the hardest part missing out."

Moore threw 92 and 94 pitches in his final two rehab starts for Triple-A Durham and is confident he can step into the rotation and compete. The Rays have to make room on both the 40- and 25-man rosters, likely by parting ways with a position player. The Rays made room in the rotation by sending down RHP Matt Andriese on Sunday.

Moore, whose last big-league game was April 7, 2014, at Kansas City, said the rehab process under the Rays athletic training staff went well — though he did have a food poisoning scare in Columbus, Ohio, last weekend.

"We didn't have many disagreements and I was healthy the whole way and there wasn't a setback," he said. "I would say up to this point as long as I don't fall off my SoloWheel (a one-wheel motorized device) between now and (Thursday) it's been a success."

Thursday's game is a 12:10 start and will not be televised by Sun Sports.

LONEY, ODORIZZI CLOSE: 1B James Loney (broken left middle finger) is on track to rejoin the team this weekend in New York. He could start a short rehab assignment tonight with advanced Class A Charlotte. … After throwing what he called an "exemplary" bullpen Monday, RHP Jake Odorizzi (oblique strain) will make a 60-pitch rehab start for the Stone Crabs on Wednesday. He hopes to rejoin the rotation July 6, though the Rays may want him to make a second start. Either way, the move to Wednesday lines him up to take RHP Alex Colome's spot in the rotation.

MORE MEDICAL: RHP Erasmo Ramirez starts tonight, with no restrictions, saying he feels fully recovered from the right groin strain that forced him from the mound June 20 in Cleveland. … After DH-ing in two rehab games for the Stone Crabs, John Jaso worked out with the Rays Monday, saying his bruised left wrist was "still sore" but there was "no shooting pain." He will rejoin the Crabs tonight. … RHP Andrew Bellatti (sore shoulder) will make his first rehab start tonight for the Crabs, putting potentially three big-leaguers in their lineup.

GOING WEST: RHP Alex Cobb is heading to Arizona next week, planning to spend the next six months rehabbing from his Tommy John surgery at the Physiotherapy Associates clinic in Tempe. Cobb said he had no issues with the Rays medical staff and it was more of a "selfish, just me" move. "The training staff here is the best," Cobb said. "The main reason is so I can get more individualized attention."

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MINOR MATTER: The Rays traded INF Alexi Casilla, who was playing at Triple-A Durham, to the Tigers for what will be cash considerations. Conveniently, the Bulls were playing at Toledo, Detroit's Triple-A team, so Casilla was in the lineup for the Mud Hens.

MISCELLANY: OF Kevin Kiermaier returned to lineup after sitting out two games (with a pinch-hit appearance) due to what he described as general soreness and fatigue on "everything from the waist down." … RHP Chris Archer, the Rays and the Good Sports organization will deliver $5,000 worth of sports equipment to the new Police Athletic League center in St. Petersburg's Midtown area.