Dustin McGowan

45
Dustin McGowan bigraphy, stories - American baseball player

Dustin McGowan : biography

March 24, 1982 –

Dustin Michael McGowan (born March 24, 1982) is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball.

2008–present

McGowan had compiled a 6–7 record with an ERA of 4.37 and 85 strikeouts prior to the 2008 All-Star break. But on July 8, he was forced to leave the game early with pain in his shoulder. On July 10, he was put on the 15 day disabled list. Then on July 26, it was announced that McGowan would undergo season-ending surgery to repair fraying of the labrum in his shoulder. He was expected to return during the 2009 season, but his recovery was slower than initially anticipated. McGowan began throwing from level ground in early May 2009. However, further injury befell him and on July 9, 2009, McGowan had knee surgery to repair articular cartilage damage, requiring six weeks of recovery before continuing his rehabilition programme.

McGowan was expected to pitch sometime in June 2010, but he experienced shoulder pain during early June and it was found that he has a torn rotator cuff and had season ending surgery, he was expected to have to wait 4–6 months before he could resume throwing. It was hoped that McGowan can recover and be ready for the 2011 season, of the second surgery GM Alex Anthopoulos said that "We’re optimistic that he’ll be able to come back and we’ll continue to work with him once he starts throwing."

On August 2, 2011, Manager John Farrell said he expected to add McGowan to the Jays rotation sometime in September. He was expected to join the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats after one more start with the Advanced-A Dunedin Blue Jays.

On September 5, 2011, McGowan was activated from the 60-day disabled list. The following day, McGowan made his first appearance in over 3 years, against the Boston Red Sox. McGowan pitched 4 innings, and gave up 3 earned runs while striking out 5 and walking 3.

On March 26, 2012, McGowan signed a 2 year contract extension for $3 million with a club option for 2015 worth $4 million.

On August 7, 2012, it was announced that McGowan would undergo arthroscopic shoulder surgery on August 9, to evaluate the recovery of his right shoulder.

McGowan started the 2013 season on the 15-day disabled list. On April 7, the Blue Jays moved him to the 60-day disabled list to make room for Édgar González. McGowan took part in a weighted ball training program to increase his velocity and shoulder strength during his recovery. McGowan started a rehab assignment with the Dunedin Blue Jays on May 14. After two appearances with Dunedin (2.0 IP, 1 H, 4 SO, 0 R), his rehab assignment was transferred to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons effective May 18.

McGowan was called up from Buffalo on June 8, 2013. Todd Redmond was optioned to make room on the 25-man roster for McGowan. McGowan made his 2013 debut in the 10th inning against the Texas Rangers on June 8, pitching of an inning with one strikeout and one walk. The Jays would go on to win the game 4-3 in 18 innings, the longest in franchise history.

Personal life

McGowan lives outside Tallahassee with his wife, Jilly and their two children.

2007 season

McGowan would have been eligible to be claimed off waivers had he not made the 2007 Blue Jays 25-man roster out of Spring Training, but the Blue Jays were granted another minor-league option year for him. This enabled the team to send McGowan back to the minors, if necessary, without exposing to waivers during the 2007 season.

McGowan started the 2007 season impressively for the Syracuse Chiefs. Despite an 0–2 record at the end of April, he had a 1.64 ERA and 29 strikeouts in 22 innings. This led to a call-up to the Blue Jays rotation in early May after an injury to Gustavo Chacín. On June 19, 2007, he was rocked for six runs on 8 hits over one and two-thirds innings in a 10–1 Jays defeat, and took the loss. He would redeem himself in his next start on June 24, 2007, as he had a no-hitter in the first 8 innings against the Colorado Rockies at Rogers Centre, allowing only an 0–1 single to the first batter he faced in the ninth, designated hitter Jeff Baker, making him just the 6th pitcher in franchise history to carry a no-hitter into the 9th inning. He went on to record a shutout, the first of his career as well as his first complete game. On September 7, 2007 McGowan recorded a career high 12 strikeouts against Tampa Bay Devil Rays, while giving up just 2 runs in 8 innings of work.