Long County native and veteran Major League Baseball pitcher Dustin McGowan has been sent to the Philadelphia Phillies’ Triple-A minor-league affiliate for the second time this season.

The past few months have been a roller coaster ride for McGowan, who is in his eighth season as a major-leaguer. The right-handed hurler was released by the Los Angeles Dodgers in March, but soon after agreed to a deal with Philadelphia.

McGowan got the nod to start against the Miami Marlins on April 23, but struggled in the fourth inning. By mid-May, the Phillies sent McGowan to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs in Triple-A.

A few weeks later, when Phillies pitcher Jake Diekman struggled on the mound, the Phillies called McGowan back up to the major leagues.

But on June 16, the Orioles rocked McGowan and the Phillies, slugging four home runs against the Long County alumnus in their 19-3 loss in Baltimore. Two days later, the Phillies recalled Diekman and McGowan was designated for assignment, landing him right back with the IronPigs.