Dustin McGowan will return to Toronto’s pitching rotation on Sunday against Baltimore Orioles
The Toronto Blue Jays announced on Thursday, September 8 that Dustin McGowan will be back in the pitching rotation on Sunday to throw against the Baltimore Orioles. The announcement came from the club’s home town of Toronto.
McGowan threw for the Blue Jays recently in a restricted bullpen role against the Boston Red Sox. While the hurler was smashed for three runs from five hits in the four innings, he was able to convince the management that he is back to his place in the Blue
Jays pitching department.
The last time McGowan pitched was back in 2008. Playing for the Blue Jays since 2005, the ballplayer has featured in 76 games for the team. He has started 56 games and has won just 20 encounters. McGowan has an aggregate of 290 strike-outs and an ERA of
4.73. With the post season bid being over, it appears manager John Farrell is giving McGowan a chance on the mound to evaluate his role in the next season.
The positive aspect of the hurler’s role appears to be the velocity on his throws. With his pace lying in the mid-90s, the team appears to be interested in maintaining the ace’s role in the club. Adding to the variation in speed, there is slider – changeup
combination to consider as well. The 29-year-old has a good grip on his control and that was ever present in the Minor Leagues when he played for Class A Dunedin and Double–A New Hampshire.
Farrell’s concern for McGowan has been the surgically repaired rotator cuff. Fortunately, things look comforting at the moment and that spells great for the Blue Jays. But the gaffer still has his eye on the thrower’s shoulder.
"This is ongoing ... hopefully by the end of September we've got a little bit more knowledge than we do right now," Farrell said. "I'm sure that as he goes through a normal offseason, which his body will certainly be ready for, you'd like to think there
will be some additional strength gains throughout the course of the offseason."
McGowan getting back to the rotation could mean a lot for the Toronto club. Only time will tell if 2012 will be a good year for the player and the team.
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