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After all the sad injury news coming out earlier today, the Blue Jays got one faint--very faint--glimmer of hope with news coming out of Dunedin that the oft-injured Dustin McGowan is ready to begin his rehab assignment:
Former Toronto first-round pick RHP Dustin McGowan has joined the @dunedinbluejays on a Major League rehab assignment.
— L. Tyler Murray (@LTylerMurray) May 14, 2013
The Voice of the Dunedin Blue Jays Tyler Murray tweeted out that McGowan has been added to the D-Jays roster today for a 30-day rehab assignment. Even though there is a 30-day limit to the rehab period, there is no guarantee that McGowan will be pitching for Toronto in a month's time. After the 30 days, the club will see how he is faring and will decide whether he is ready to be added to the active (25-man) roster or whether he needs more time to recover, at which point the Blue Jays will return him to the disabled list.
The 31-year old right hander from Savannah has pitched only 21 innings since 2009, all of that coming in a five-game stint in September 2011. McGowan signed a two-year extension in the spring of 2012 which pays him $1.5 million each in 2013 and 2014, with a $4 million club option for 2015.
As recently as this spring, Alex Anthopoulos still thought that McGowan had the "best stuff" of anyone in the organization. McGowan had been using Steve Delabar's weighted-ball program in his rehab, and has noticed "a little more zip" in his pitches. He is now able to pitch on back-to-back days with no soreness.
In spring training, we had a poll asking whether you think Dustin McGowan would make at least one appearance with the Blue Jays this season. 85% of you said "yes". What say you now?