Matt Moore will appear in the MLB All-Star Game for the first time with Yu Darvish heading to the disabled list, joining Ben Zobrist as Tampa Bay's delegation headed to New York.
MLB All-Star Game 2013: Matt Moore replaces Yu Darvish on AL roster
Matt Moore has Yu Darvish’s strained right trapezius to thank for his first All-Star appearance, as the Rays’ lefty was named an injury replacement Thursday.
J. Meric
Darvish, who has now been named an All-Star in both of his seasons since coming to the major leagues from Japan, was having one of the best seasons of any pitcher in baseball, leading the American League in strikeouts and hits allowed per nine innings. But with a straight right trapezius putting him on the DL Wednesday, his spot went up for grabs. Moore, the 24-year-old southpaw, will get the call to appear at Citi Field Tuesday night.
Moore is tied for the AL lead in wins with 13, a record for most wins by a Rays pitcher before the All-Star break. He’s improved from decent numbers in his first full year in the majors last year, posting a 3.41 ERA and 1.29 WHIP with 108 strikeouts in 107 innings and a .213 batting average against. The difference is that this year his team is backing him up, and he’s 13-3 after going 11-11 last year, taking the credit for just under a quarter of the Rays’ 53 wins.
Moore is the 31st player making his first All-Star appearance this year. It’s the second trip for Zobrist, who got selected despite hitting just .261 with six home runs.
More from SB Nation:
See More:
