Tampa Bay Rays' Matt Moore out with 'mild lower abdominal strain'

Tampa Bay Rays rookie LHP Matt Moore will indeed miss his scheduled batting practice session today due to what the Rays are calling "a mild lower abdoninal strain.''

Moore said it has been bothering him since Friday, when it popped up during his second bullpen session of the spring, and "it feels like a sore muscle.''

Moore said the discomfort is in the middle of his abdomen, just below his belly button, and he notices it only when he throws. He said it does not seem related at all to the oblique muscles.

Moore played catch at 60 feet on Saturday and 75 feet on Sunday but won't throw at all today to see how it responds. He said it was "a possibility" he could be back on the mound Wednesday for what would be next scheduled session. If it does, there conceivably would be no impact on his availability to start the season. If he misses more time, there's a chance he might not be ready as the Rays are sure to be cautious with their prized rookie.

"I don't feel like it's a major setback just because I told (the athletic training staff) and I threw the next couple days,'' Moore said. "If it was something major I would have shut it down and just been like, "Hey, this is it for right now.''

Moore, 22, is expected to have a major role in the Rays starting rotation this season, following his heralded debut last September. He is considered the top pitching prospect in baseball.