The Detroit Tigers knew there were two outcomes possible.

Before Matt Moore underwent meniscus surgery on his right knee Wednesday morning, the team went through best-case and worst-case scenarios.

The best-case scenario called for Moore to return to the mound in 4-6 weeks.

But it was the worst-case scenario which manager Ron Gardenhire announced to reporters: Moore is out for the season.

“All I’m instructed to tell you guys is they had the surgery, they fixed it, but he’s definitely going to be out for the year,” Gardenhire said. “It’s going to be a long procedure getting back.”

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With that, Moore’s season – and perhaps Tigers career – has ended.

“Our staff is going to be fine,” Gardenhire said. “I’m more concerned with Matt Moore. He was throwing the ball really well. This was a blow for him and our ballclub, but I’m more worried about the guy than anything else.

“This guy wants to pitch. He was making a great comeback with us, throwing the ball really well, had a great spring and we were excited. Now, he’s going to miss a season, which, for him and his family, it’s very frustrating.”

Moore was injured while coming off the mound to field a comebacker on April 6 against the Royals. On the play, he landed awkwardly on his right knee and exited the game after retiring the next batter.

The hit was the first he allowed in three innings that day, building off a season-opening start in which he pitched seven scoreless innings against the Blue Jays.

Moore, 29, signed a one-year, $2.5 million deal with the Tigers this offseason. He was another signing designed to stabilize the starting rotation and perhaps, afford them a trade piece this summer.

“I didn’t really think anything,” Gardenhire said, when asked if the outcome was worse than the Tigers expected. “All I listened to is what the doctors were saying – worst-case scenario, best-case scenario – and I don’t know if it was either one of those, all I know is they told me he had surgery, they fixed it and now he’s going to be out for the year.”

Contact Anthony Fenech at afenech@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @anthonyfenech. Read more on the Detroit Tigers and sign up for our Tigers newsletter.