Dustin McGowan (shoulder) continues to make progress while throwing to live hitters, which he has done since the end of spring training.

"It's all part of the throwing program," Blue Jays manager John Farrell said. "It's a progression. I don't have an exact date for a rehab assignment." McGowan, who would come back as a reliever, will need to pitch in extended spring games before a rehab assignment. Since he's on the 60-day DL, the earlier he could be activated is June 1.

Dustin McGowan (shoulder) faced live hitters Monday for the first time in almost three years.

McGowan hasn't appeared in a live game since July of 2008 due to shoulder issues. He threw 25 pitches to minor leagues in camp on Monday, though, and is slowly but surely fighting back toward 100 percent. The Blue Jays are hoping he'll be available by late April or early May.

Blue Jays manager John Farrell hopes Dustin McGowan (shoulder) will be able to appear in a minor league spring training sometime this month.

Minor league spring training games don't begin until March 14, so he still has a little bit of time to get ready. McGowan, who has undergone two shoulder surgeries since his last major league appearance in 2008, has responded well in all of his bullpen sessions so far in camp. The Jays obviously aren't counting on him, so he can take all the time he needs.

Dustin McGowan (shoulder) mixed in a few breaking pitches for the first time during his fourth bullpen session Tuesday.

McGowan has undergone two shoulder surgeries since his last appearance in the major leagues in July of 2008, but the Blue Jays are cautiously optimistic about his progress so far. "The fact that there's been no need for additional rest or downtime in between his bullpen sessions is probably the biggest indication of what's taking place physically with him," said Farrell. Barring any setbacks, McGowan will likely begin the season in the minors building up his arm strength.

Dustin McGowan (shoulder) admits that this will be his "last chance" because he's not willing to have another surgery if he starts to experience pain in his shoulder again.

"In my mind, I don't want a timeline," McGowan said Friday. "I know this is basically my last chance to get right, and I want to do it the right way and make sure things go smoothly." McGowan hasn't appeared in a major league game since 2008 and has had one knee operation and two shoulder surgeries since then, the most recent one coming last June. He had his third bullpen session Friday and was happy with the results but admits he still has "a long way to go." The Blue Jays aren't counting on the right-hander this season, and neither should fantasy owners.

Dustin McGowan (shoulder) threw 25 pitches at 80 percent velocity Monday in spring camp.

McGowan underwent surgery last June to repair a significant tear in his right shoulder cuff. The Blue Jays have not set an exact timetable for his return and will sort of play it by ear this spring with his health. He told reporters Monday that he does not expect to break camp with the big league club.

Blue Jays and RHP Dustin McGowan avoided arbitration Thursday by agreeing to a one-year, $450,000 contract.

McGowan underwent season-ending shoulder surgery in June and a timetable for his return is unknown. The 28-year-old right-hander will enter spring training out of options, but the team can place him on the disabled list if he is not ready for the start of the 2011 season.

Blue Jays activated RHPs Dustin McGowan and Jesse Litsch and LHP Rommie Lewis from the 60-day disabled list.

McGowan underwent surgery to repair a significant tear in his right rotator cuff in June. It's not known when he will be able to start pitching again, but the Jays probably aren't counting on him to contribute significantly next season. Litsch, 25, posted a 1-5 record, 5.79 ERA and 1.46 WHIP in nine starts for the Jays this past season before a torn muscle in his right hip ended his campaign prematurely. He'll be ready for spring training.

Dustin McGowan (shoulder) hopes to begin playing catch by November.

McGowan underwent surgery to repair a significant tear in his right rotator cuff in June. It's not known when he will be able to return, but the Jays probably aren't counting on him to contribute in a significant way next season.

Dustin McGowman underwent surgery to repair "a significant tear" in his right rotator cuff on Tuesday.

The surgery was performed by Dr. James Andrews. McGowan will be sidelined for four to six months before he can throw again. Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos expects the once-promising right-hander to be out until at least 2011, possibly longer.

Dustin McGowan will undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder on Tuesday.

McGowan was scheduled to meet with Dr. James Andrews on Monday after he felt a "pop" in his shoulder during a minor league rehab appearance last week. The once-promising right-hander missed hasn't thrown a pitch in the major league since undergoing shoulder surgery in July of 2008. It doesn't look like we'll see him again anytime soon.

Dustin McGowan (shoulder) will visit Dr. James Andrews on Monday.

McGowan felt a "pop" in his shoulder during a minor league rehab appearance on Sunday. An MRI showed "no new information," but the club will send him to Andrews anyway. These type of visits don't always lead to surgery, of course, but we should be prepared for the worst given his history with injury.

Dustin McGowan felt a "pop" in his shoulder while making a rehab appearance Sunday and has been shut down indefinitely.

McGowan hasn't pitched in the majors since July of 2008 due to ongoing shoulder and knee issues, and it certainly doesn't sound like he's any close to returning. He underwent an MRI on the shoulder Monday.

General manager Alex Anthopoulos told The Globe and Mail that Dustin McGowan (shoulder, knee) has been playing catch from 60 feet and that his rehab is going well.

McGowan hasn't seen the major leagues since July of 2008 because of knee and shoulder issues that cost him all of 2009. The Blue Jays' starters have been better than most people expected, but McGowan's return would be a welcome sight, as they could certainly use another solid option. With Jeff Francis returning to Colorado after a long layoff, 2010 could be a good year for pitchers who suffered longterm injuries if McGowan makes it back to the Blue Jays this season.

Blue Jays transferred RHP Dustin McGowan to the 60-day disabled list.

The move clears space on the Jays' 40-man roster for speedy outfielder Fred Lewis, who was acquired from the Giants on Thursday evening. McGowan is making a slow recovery from shoulder surgery.

Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos said Dustin McGowan (shoulder) is feeling better, but has not begun throwing.

In fact, there's no word on when he'll resume a throwing program. McGowan is currently working his way back from shoulder surgery, so the Blue Jays aren't going to take any chances here. He's a candidate to be moved to the 60-day disabled list at some point if the Blue Jays need to make a roster move.

Blue Jays placed RHP Dustin McGowan on 15-day disabled list with a sore shoulder.

It's a little surprising that the team elected to put him on the 15-day DL instead of the 60-day one, considering that McGowan was just shut down and won't pick up a ball for another week. Maybe this can be considered good news in a way. McGowan is still trying to come back and is saying all the right things about his re-hab, but labrum surgeries are notoriously difficult to come back from. Ask Mark Mulder.