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When Toronto Blue Jays manager John Gibbons announced Wednesday his pitching rotation to begin the season, the number five starter garnered the most attention.

Dustin McGowan, a first-round draft pick out of Long County High School in Ludowici, Ga., in 2000, was once considered a major prospect and potential ace for the franchise, but his career has been derailed by a number of serious injuries. Since his big-league debut in 2005, McGowan has made just 60 starts, missing the entire 2010 and 2012 seasons due to shoulder surgeries.

Despite countless setbacks, McGowan has persevered and will get the ball on opening night in Toronto against the New York Yankees in front of a sold out Rogers Centre. Here's a look at the injuries he has overcome in his long journey back to the starting rotation.

Interactive by DARREN YOURK, CHRISTOPHER MANZA and MICHAEL SNIDER / THE GLOBE AND MAIL