RealGM

Posted: **Mon Jul 25, 2011 7:06 pm**

Dustin McGowan is currently on a 30-day rehab assignment. What are the team's choices at the end of 30 days? Is there some chance that he will be with the team by the end of the week?
-- 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.

http://toronto.bluejays.mlb.com/news/ar ... r&c_id=tor

Posted: **Mon Jul 25, 2011 7:30 pm**

If Frasor and Dotel end up getting traded, I think he has a chance, of getting the call. As a RHP it is harder for him to break through right now.

Posted: **Mon Jul 25, 2011 8:06 pm**

Wait, so if he goes on the 7-day DL, after the week is up, his 30 day rehab period can start all over again where he has currently left off? Is that how it works? If so, is there a limit to the number of times we can keep shuffling him off to the 7-day DL and back again?

Posted: **Mon Jul 25, 2011 10:23 pm**

IF he comes, it will be in September.
but the plan is to stretch him out. so we're talking about him not even getting a September sniff. dude needs a pitch count closer to 100 and that ain't gonna happen any time soon.
just enjoy his story and look for him to be part of the staff (likely as a starter, believe it or not) next season

Posted: **Tue Jul 26, 2011 5:20 am**

They're increasing his inning total about an inning a month. He was already throwing 2 innings last month. Now he's up to three innings. Given that formula he should be ready for action...next year-- which is what I've heard. He'll get an invite to spring training and probably make the team as the fourth starter.

August 4innings
Spetember 5 innings.

Next year, 100 pitches.

Posted: **Tue Jul 26, 2011 7:47 am**

Is starting really best for him?

Innings strain vs. possible slider and curve strain?

Posted: **Tue Jul 26, 2011 12:41 pm**

mini wrote:Wait, so if he goes on the 7-day DL, after the week is up, his 30 day rehab period can start all over again where he has currently left off? Is that how it works? If so, is there a limit to the number of times we can keep shuffling him off to the 7-day DL and back again?

If he's completely shut down for 7 days without pitching, then yes, he can go on another 30 day rehab.

Posted: **Tue Jul 26, 2011 8:17 pm**

Parthenon wrote:If he's completely shut down for 7 days without pitching, then yes, he can go on another 30 day rehab.

By completely shut down do you mean not playing in a game, or not being allowed to throw even a simulated game in the bullpen?

RealGM

What's McGowan's path back to bigs?

What's McGowan's path back to bigs?

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Re: What's McGowan's path back to bigs?

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