{allcanada} McGowan returns as Jays host BoSox

TORONTO -- Dustin McGowan's long road back to the major leagues is complete.

The Toronto Blue Jays activated the right-hander off the 60-day disabled list prior to Monday's home game against the Boston Red Sox.

The 29-year-old McGowan hasn't pitched in the big leagues since leaving a July 8, 2008, start against Baltimore due to shoulder pain.

Surgery followed soon after and he wasn't able to pitch until the spring of 2010 before more problems surfaced. The former first-round pick underwent a second shoulder surgery last June.

The Jays re-signed McGowan to a one-year deal worth US$450,000 back in December.

At the time, the move signalled general manager Alex Anthopoulos was not ready to give up on the once-rising star.

McGowan is 20-22 in his career with a 4.71 earned-run average. His best season was in 2007 when he finished 12-10 with a 4.08 ERA.

Meanwhile, Blue Jays manager John Farrell will be back in the dugout against Boston for the first time in 10 games after recovering from pneumonia.

Bench coach Don Wakamatsu ran the team in Farrell's absence.

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