Donnie Moore’s Problem Found; Back Surgery Set

Angel relief pitcher Donnie Moore, the subject of recent criticism by General Manager Mike Port for his failure to pitch more frequently this season, said Tuesday night that he will have arthroscopic back surgery Monday.

Moore said that Drs. Robert Watkins and Lewis Yocum would attempt to remove a bone fragment or spur that has been irritating a nerve and creating the persistent pain in the area of his rib cage for almost two years.

“I’m in shock that I have to have back surgery,” Moore said, “but I’m happy that we may have found a solution. I’ve known something was wrong since the spring of ’86. Dr. Watkins said I should be ready for spring training. All I want to do is pitch.”

Moore said he was hospitalized Monday and Tuesday for extensive tests that disclosed the condition. He spent much of the 1987 season on the disabled list and appeared in only 14 games.