Moore has successful Tommy John surgery

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. -- Matt Moore underwent successful Tommy John surgery to reconstruct the ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow Tuesday and will rejoin the team later this week, the team announced.

Moore, who drove to Pensacola, Fla., with his girlfriend Anna to have the operation, which was performed by Dr. James Andrews, will miss the rest of this season and possibly part of 2015.

The rehab process is expected to take 12-15 months.

The 24-year-old Moore was the sixth Rays Major Leaguer to undergo the surgery.

Six of Moore's current teammates -- pitchers Grant Balfour, Brandon Gomes, Jake McGee, and Juan Carlos Oviedo, as well as outfielders David DeJesus and Brandon Guyer -- have had the surgery.

According to recent studies, roughly 83 percent of the 179 pitchers who have had Tommy John surgery have returned to the mound in the Major Leagues.