White Sox: James Shields Will Start Sunday Against Blue Jays
By Matt Manetti
The White Sox will activate right hander James Shields to start Sunday against the Blue Jays. He last pitched for the team on April 16.
The Chicago White Sox will get some starting pitching help against the Blue Jays. JJ Stankevitz tweeted the 35-year-old is back with the team and will start Sunday. Shields hasn’t pitched for this team since April 16 after suffering a lat strain. He was 1-0 with a 1.62 ERA before going on the disabled list.
This should be a huge lift for the White Sox. They have really had some issues with their starting rotation but Shields’ return should help. As long as he can continue to pitch like he did before the injury. If he reverts back to last season, then this team will be in trouble.
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For the most part he looked good in his rehab starts but there may be some rust since he hasn’t faced true major league hitters. Sure, he pitched down in the minors but that’s nothing compared to the talent he’ll face now that he’s back. However, he is a veteran and shouldn’t be fazed by anything he faces.
The Blue Jays are struggling as well, so this should be a good series. Shields has been very durable in his career and that’s really what the White Sox are looking for. The bullpen has been good but overworked.
If Shields can come back and have a quality start, that could help rest the bullpen. It would be great to see him pitch six innings in his first start back. You hope he comes out with a lead, then you don’t have to use your bullpen as much.
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The White Sox could look to trade him if he comes back healthy and productive. That would be the ultimate end game for this team. He is still a quality pitcher, albeit he struggled all last season. It’s clear he’s not the pitcher he once was but he has shown thus far he can contribute. Because of that he could be the type of player a team is looking to add at the trade deadline.