Dustin McGowan (shoulder) threw 20 pitches off a mound Tuesday at 80-90 percent intensity.

McGowan dealt with shoulder and neck discomfort early in camp, but he's starting to make some progress. Still, we wouldn't count on him being ready for Opening Day.

Dustin McGowan (shoulder) will throw off a mound Tuesday for the first time in spring training.

McGowan has progressed ahead of schedule from shoulder and neck injuries that sidelined him earlier in camp. If he can stay healthy, the right-hander should be in the mix for a bullpen spot on the Opening Day roster.

Dustin McGowan (shoulder) is expected to resuming throwing from a mound soon.

McGowan has been shut down after experiencing some shoulder soreness while throwing off flat ground earlier in camp, but he's made notable progress of late. Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said the right-hander could be in the mix for a bullpen job.

Dustin McGowan was shut down after experiencing some shoulder soreness while throwing off flat ground on February 12.

McGowan tried to stay upbeat about the setback when talking to reporters, but it's undoubtedly a frustrating time for the 30-year old. McGowan didn't pitch at all in 2012 and has thrown more than 112 innings just once since 2005. The setback doesn't seem to be too serious, but there is no timetable for his return.

Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said that Dustin McGowan's "shoulder was barking" while he was playing catch on Tuesday.

Another bad break for McGowan, who missed the entire 2012 campaign and underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder in August. It's not clear when he'll be ready to resume throwing, but given his injury history, we aren't counting on anything. The 30-year-old right-hander is owed $1.5 million in each of the next two seasons while his contract includes a $4 million club option for 2015 which can be bought out for $500,000.

Blue Jays general manager Alex Anthopoulos said Dustin McGowan (shoulder) is on track to be ready at the start of spring training.

That's all well and good, but nothing is ever a safe bet with the injury-prone right-hander. McGowan missed all of the 2012 campaign with foot and shoulder problems and is recovering from August arthroscopic shoulder surgery. The Jays shouldn't be counting on him for a significant contribution in 2013.

Blue Jays activated RHP Dustin McGowan from the 60-day disabled list.

McGowen underwent arthroscopic shoulder surgery in August. If he can avoid setbacks, he'll be fine by spring.

Dustin McGowan (shoulder) is scheduled to resume throwing in December.

McGowan had arthroscopic shoulder surgery in August. "He is following the protocol as it is outlined," Blue Jays manager John Farrell said. "His throwing program ... almost coincides with the normal offseason throwing program in advance of spring training." The Jays are saying that McGowan is still very much in their plans, but it's a longshot that he'll be able to stay healthy over a long period of time.

Barry Davis of Sportsnet.ca writes that Dustin McGowan underwent a "basic cleanup" of his right shoulder on Thursday.

No word on the specifics, but Davis writes that more than one area required repair. The injury-prone right-hander will begin range of motion exercises soon, but won't pitch again this season.

Dustin McGowan is scheduled to undergo shoulder surgery Thursday.

The surgery will be performed by Dr. James Andrews. McGowan began the season on the disabled list with plantar fasciitis in his right foot, but his shoulder ended up being the bigger issue. This will be his third shoulder surgery since 2008. It's still a mystery why the Jays ever thought it was a good idea to sign him to an extension in March.

The Blue Jays have slowed the pace of Dustin McGowan's rehab program as the right-handed starter continues to battle lingering shoulder discomfort.

"When he's able to even get to the mound is undetermined at this point," manager John Farrell told MLB.com. McGowan might struggle to return before the end of the 2012 season, which makes the two-year extension that Toronto gave him this spring all the more silly.

Blue Jays transferred RHP Dustin McGowan from the 15-day disabled list to the 60-day disabled list.

It's just a procedural move, as McGowan isn't close to returning from the DL. He's begun playing light catch but has yet to throw off a mound.

Dustin McGowan (shoulder) is scheduled to begin a throwing program on May 17.

McGowan has been working on strengthening his shoulder, and this week Blue Jays manager John Farrell says that program will be "more strenuous." It would be foolish to predict a firm timetable for McGowan at this point, but, if he doesn't have any setbacks, it's feasible that we could see him sometime in June.

Dustin McGowan has been shut down for two weeks after experiencing soreness in his right shoulder.

McGowan was diagnosed with inflammation after visiting Dr. James Andrews on Wednesday. The good news is that structural damage was ruled out, but it's yet another setback for the injury-prone right-hander, who was signed to a questionable two-year, $3 million contract in March.

Though the Blue Jays haven't set a firm timetable, Mike Rutsey of the Toronto Sun says a "best-case scenario" would have Dustin McGowan (foot) returning some time in June.

"There's no time frame or time table on Dustin per se but we don't want that fifth spot to be a revolving door if we can avoid it," manager John Farrell said. McGowan resumed his throwing program Monday, but clearly he's not close to rejoining the rotation. Drew Hutchison is expected to be promoted to fill in for now.

Dustin McGowan (foot) resumed his throwing program Monday.

McGowan will play catch on flat ground every other day for the next few weeks before being cleared to return to the mound. He's been sidelined since mid-March due to plantar fasciitis in his right foot and seems unlikely to be ready for major league action before late-May.

Dustin McGowan (foot) is scheduled to begin a throwing program next week.

McGowan has been sidelined since late-March with plantar fasciitis in his right foot. There's no current timetable for his return.

Dustin McGowan (foot) has yet to resume throwing and there is no timetable for his return.

Shi Davidi of Sportsnet.ca noted over the weekend that McGowan could being throwing soon, but that appears to be wishful thinking. The 30-year-old right-hander is currently sidelined with plantar fasciitis in his right foot.

Dustin McGowan (foot) is expected to resume throwing soon and could be cleared to return by early-May.

McGowan was in the mix for Toronto's fifth starter job prior to being placed on the disabled list. According to Sportnet's Shi Davidi, McGowan developed shoulder soreness compensating for plantar fasciitis in his right foot, and has no ''real'' injury, just soreness. Kyle Drabek will continue to hold down the No. 5 spot in his absence.

Blue Jays placed RHP Dustin McGowan on the 15-day disabled list, retroactive to March 26, with plantar fasciitis in his right foot.

McGowan, who was in the mix for the fifth starter job this spring, isn't expected to resume throwing for another couple of days. The oft-injured right-hander is unlikely to come off the DL until late-April or early-May.