White Sox Have Shut Down James Shields

The White Sox shut down James Shields. The right hander received an injection in both knees for tendinitis.

Add James Shields to the list of pitchers shut down by the Chicago White Sox this week. After his start Monday against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, he received injections in both knees for tendinitis. That effectively ends his season. Mike Pelfrey starts on Friday against the Cleveland Indians.

Shields was 5-7 with a 5.23 ERA in 21 starts for the White Sox. He did miss some time with a strained lat that landed him on the 10-day disabled list. After starting off the 2017 season strong, he struggled hence the ERA over five. However, he did have one of his best starts of the season Monday against the Angels. In his final month he was 3-2 with a 3.94 ERA.

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Shields is clearly not the pitcher he once was. And is a shadow of his former self. But he does eat up innings when he’s healthy. He only threw 117 innings this season but that was his lowest of his career.

From 2007-2015 he threw over 200 innings and last season he threw 180 innings. There’s no doubt he’s been durable throughout his career. This season was the first time he’s been on the DL in his career.

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The White Sox will likely rely on Shields to help their young pitchers in 2018. He will be that important veteran presence that can mentor the young guys and hopefully help with their development. He’s clearly at the

tail end of his career but if he can eat up innings, that will be a plus for the White Sox.