2015 Dodgers review: Dustin McGowan

A look back at the Dodgers' portion of 2015 for Dustin McGowan, who was sort of an on-roster invitee to spring training at Camelback Ranch.

What went right

After battling injuries for a few years with the Blue Jays, McGowan put up a healthy season as a swing man for Toronto in 2014 and came into 2015 looking to build on that with an even more productive season. The right-hander signed with the Dodgers on Feb. 23, a non-guaranteed major league contract at the major league minimum of $507,500, plus a $1 million bonus if he made the opening day roster.

McGowan though was like several of the non-roster pitchers in camp fighting for a job, only he occupied a spot on the 40-man roster while doing so in March. He relished the challenge.

"You always have to have that mentality," he said during spring training. "There are very few players that have it given to them. You have to earn it."

What went wrong

McGowan allowed six runs on 12 hits in eight innings in his seven Cactus League appearances. For the most part, spring training stats need to be taken with a grain of salt, and especially for relievers, but his numbers combined with his side work and total contribution in spring training wasn't enough to earn McGowan a trip to Los Angeles.

He didn't make the Dodgers' opening day roster and was cut on April 1.

McGowan caught on with the Phillies and put up a 6.94 ERA in 14 games, with nearly as many walks (20) as strikeouts (21).

2015 particulars

Age: 33

Stats:7 games, 6.75 ERA, 8 IP, 1 BB, 5 K during spring training.

Salary: $507,500; McGowan was cut during spring training and, because this occurred within 15 days of opening day, McGowan received 45 days termination pay, roughly $124,795.

Game of the year

McGowan pitched two scoreless innings with two strikeouts against the Rockies on March 21.

Roster status

McGowan was sent outright to Triple-A Lehigh Valley by the Phillies in June, and in October elected free agency.