Chatted with Dustin McGowan this morning about his “setback” and he sounded more relieved than anything. He said his shoulder was feeling more weak than anything, as opposed to the sharp pain he felt prior to his surgery on July.
Dustin said he wanted to see Dr. Kremchek for some reassurance that what he was feeling was normal, and that’s precisely what the doc said. McGowan wants to get back as soon as possible, but said he’s trying to be smart, knowing that there’s no timetable he’s racing against.
“I want to get back to playing, but I’ve go tto be smart. I’ve got to do it the right way so I can avoid injury again and not go through this again,” he said.
Then there is Shaun Marcum, who has been playing catch and wowing Toronto’s coaches an medical staff. There’s even talk that Marcum could possibly be back as early as August. We’ll see about that, though.
“You talk to Marcum, he would pitch right now if you let him,” Gaston said with a laugh, “We have to slow him down a little bit too. I actually spoke to him this morning. I told him ‘Remember, you’re pitching next year — not this year.’ Just slow him down a little bit.”
Russ Adams, who is basically auditioning for other clubs this spring, left yesterday’s game with a sore left quad and Jays skip Cito Gaston said he might be held out of games through Saturday — the off day tomorrow helps.
Scott Richmond is also back in camp with the Jays. He’s scheduled to log three innings in a Minor League game on Friday. Vernon Wells ran again today and said he “felt good.” Probably another week before he’s in a game.
And former Cub great (and Canadian) Fergie Jenkins was on hand to toss out the first pitch today.
Don’t forget, you can follow my in-game updates at www.twitter.com/mlbastian
Today’s lineup:
PIRATES
Nyger Morgan, LF
Andrew McCutchen, RF
Nate McLouth, CF
Adam LaRoche, 1B
Craig Monroe, DH
Andy LaRoche, #B
Shelby Ford, 2B
Jason Jaramillo, C
Luis Cruz, SS
Paul Maholm, P
BLUE JAYS
John McDonald, SS
Aaron Hill, 2B
Adam Lind, LF
Kevin Millar, DH
Lyle Overbay, 1B
Jason Lane, CF
Travis Snider, RF
Michael Barrett, C
Scott Campbell, 3B
Roy Halladay, P
~JB
