By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Knee injury another setback for McGowan
Dustin McGowan
Blue Jays pitcher and Ludowici native Dustin McGowan prepares to hurl the ball during a game. A knee injury may keep McGowan out for the rest of the season. - photo by Photo provided.

The 2009 year hasn’t been kind to Long County native and Toronto pitcher Dustin McGowan. On Thursday, Blue Jays’ General Manager J.P. Ricciardi said the right-hander had undergone surgery on his left knee July 9 to repair cartilage. According to Ricciardi, McGowan injured his knee during routine running drills.

This surgery, along with his right shoulder injury, likely means McGowan won’t be back this year.

According to the general manager, it will take six weeks for McGowan to come back from the knee surgery.

However, according to Jays Manager Cito Gaston, the knee injury doesn’t appear to be anything that will affect his long term plans. However, Jays officials still have concerns about McGowan’s shoulder.

"His knee’s probably going to be fine ... I think the main thing we’re worried about is his shoulder," Gaston said. "He’s a nice young man. I’d like to see him back with a good arm."

Gaston added, "I just worry about his future; not so much about him getting back."

McGowan had surgery on his shoulder last season, and despite hopes that it would be healed enough for him to come back this year, those plans haven’t panned out.

After two solid years in the Blue Jay rotation, this year McGowan was slated to be number two in the rotation, behind All-Star, Ray Halliday, if he could get back to his previous form.

McGowan, who was a stud on the mound for Long County High School, was selected in the first round of the 2000 First Year Player Draft, by Toronto.

 

Sign up for our e-newsletters