"Rookie phenom LHP Matt Moore makes his first big-league start tonight against the Yankees.

RHP Jeff Niemann was scheduled to start, but he was "abnormally stiff or sore" after his last game and has been pushed back to Saturday against the Jays, manager Joe Maddon said.

Moore, 22, has pitched twice in relief since his callup, including an impressive three-inning stint Saturday in Boston. He was 12-3, 1.92 in 27 starts for Double-A Montgomery (including a no-hitter) and Triple-A Durham, with 210 strikeouts in 155 innings.

"I'm looking forward to it,'' Moore said. "I'm going to do my best to take (the day) and my pregame the same as I always have. It's a mound, and it's 60 feet, 6 inches away. As long as I can stay within myself, I'm pretty confident.''"