-- Kevin K., Calgary, Alberta
I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but McGowan is not close to making a return. He has been starting for Class A Dunedin since July 2, but has yet to last more than 2 2/3 innings in an outing, and his pitch count limits have hovered around the 40 mark.
The 29-year-old is being brought along slowly by the organization, and rightfully so. McGowan has undergone multiple surgeries on his right shoulder and hasn't pitched in a Major League game since 2008.
In Spring Training, McGowan admitted this comeback attempt would be his last. He remained cautiously optimistic things would work out in his favour, but if the Georgia native was forced to undergo another major surgery, it's almost guaranteed he would opt for retirement.
That means both McGowan and the organization will be extremely patient as the right-hander continues to build up arm strength. The 30-day rehab period isn't a firm deadline because all the Blue Jays need to do is place him on the Minor League seven-day DL and the rehab will start all over again.
There are still plenty of positives in this storyline, though. McGowan has been throwing in the mid-90s and reportedly has had impressive movement on his offspeed pitches.
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