Yet Another Setback For McGowan
Unfortunate news out of Toronto today as Blue Jays pitcher Dustin McGowan has injured his shoulder once again. McGowan heard a pop in his shoulder while throwing at the team’s spring facility in Dunedin, FL. McGowan will certainly miss the remainder of the 2010 season due to what will be the second surgery on the labrum in his right shoulder. It seems possible, if not likely, that McGowan will also miss the entire 2011 season as well.
In 2007, the Toronto Blue Jays starting pitchers put together a combined 20.7 wins above replacement. Dustin McGowan and his 3.9 WAR was a large piece of that group; between him, Roy Halladay, and A.J. Burnett, the Blue Jays appeared to have the core of what could be a top-flight starting rotation for years to come. However, it wouldn’t last past 2008. McGowan’s first shoulder surgery came during the ’08 season, and Burnett left for the Yankees that offseason. Of the five starters for the Jays in 2009, only Roy Halladay also pitched in 2007, and he would be traded to the Phillies after the season.
Still, the Jays have some solid starting pitchers on their roster now, including Shaun Marcum, Ricky Romero, Brandon Morrow, and Brett Cecil, all of whom have at least 1.4 WAR on the season already. GM Alex Anthopolous and the Blue Jays hoped that McGowan would be able to return by May or June and give that rotation a boost – given the Jays’ hot start, McGowan’s addition would’ve been a sizable help in remaining in the playoff race.
Now, it seems that McGowan may go as many as three seasons between MLB appearances. The nearest analog for this situation appears to be Brewers pitcher Chris Capuano, who went from 2007 until 2010 without appearing in a game after two Tommy John surgeries, but he’s only thrown 4.2 innings for the Brewers this season.
The road back will be long and difficult for McGowan, and there’s no guarantee that he will be anywhere near the same pitcher upon his return. This is a large setback for the Jays organization, as McGowan appeared to be turning himself into one of the more reliable starters in the league back in 2008, and now his season and possibly his career is over.
Jack Moore's work can be seen at VICE Sports and anywhere else you're willing to pay him to write. Buy his e-book.
A few things..the surgery is to “improve range of motion” whatever that means. Dusty has a power arm but his career has likely been done for a while…which is a shame considering how long and hard he has worked to get back into a Blue Jays uniform. Before this, I figured his most likely return path was in through the bullpen…he had a hell of an arsenal and once he understood he had to attack the hitters without fear.
I’m not sure if the Jays control him next year or not…still got a hell of a lot of pitching depth, though. On top of the four previously mentioned, don’t miscount Rzypcynski, Litsch, Drabek, Stewart..
Just heard on the broadcast actually that Andrews repaired a “significant tear”
oh wells. 4-6 months
So first the UCL, then his Labrum, now the rotator cuff?
The surgery trifecta, now how many pitchers get to do that?
had MCL surgery at some point too
adding to the difficulty of his return is that he also has diabetees which he supposedly has to work around during his rehab
It says a lo about the Jays organization that they stuck with him through all of this. I think a lot of organizations would have cut ties a long time ago.
If only they had done the same with Carpenter many moons ago (although the financial commitment to Carp was much greater).
Carp wasn’t getting better without Dave Duncan so either way they would lose.
To be fair Arnsberg, Queen and Butera are/were no slouches — the Jays have since done some pretty impressive things with rag-tag “no-name” pitchers themselves. Who’s to say Carp wouldn’t of thrived in Toronto as he has in St. Louis? People tend to forget that Halladay’s 2000 season (19 G, 13 GS, 10.64 ERA — I know, I know) was one of the worst in history, but after some Mel Queen love, his 2001 season was oh so slightly better (16 G, 16 GS, 3.19 ERA) and the rest, as they say, is history.
Too bad, hopefully he can get back to the majors. I remember reading a quote during spring training during his breakout 2007 where Frank Thomas said McGowan had some of the best stuff he had seen. That’s some pretty high praise.
Memories of McGowan include how he finally “put it together” in my eyes after a tough series of starts against the Yankees with a freshly grown beard, then him not stopping after that while still rocking said beard. Another is when he brought a no-hitter into the ninth against the Rockies. Closest I have come to seeing a full no hit game.
I have some used cars.Such as Carmy/Focus/Civic/Corolla,and all cars price only 1000 dollar.plz visit best used cars under 1000
It’s the best time to make some plans for the future and it’s time to be happy. I have read this post and if I could I wish to suggest you some interesting things or tips. Perhaps you could write next articles referring to this article. I wish to read more things about it!