Shields slated to start for Chicago White Sox on Sunday
If James Shields is able to pick up where he left off, the Chicago White Sox are going to be a better team.
Shaking off a nightmarish 2016 season, when he was a combined 6-19 with a 5.85 for the San Diego Padres and Sox, Shields looked much more like his old self in April while going 1-0 with a 1.62 ERA in 3 starts.
The durable starter landed on the disabled list for the first time in his 12-year career on April 18 with a strained right lat.
After making 3 rehab starts with Class AAA Charlotte, Shields is scheduled to come off the DL on Sunday and take the mound for the White Sox at Toronto.
"I feel pretty good," Shields said. "Not bad. My very first game (for Charlotte), I feel like I started right where I left off. Obviously it's a work in progress. I'm still getting my arm back in shape and I feel like it's pretty good right now, but as of right now I feel pretty solid to go."
Shields said he enjoyed his short stint back in the minor leagues, where he was 0-3 with a 3.21 ERA.
"I was a road warrior for the Charlotte Knights there for a little bit," the 35-year-old pitcher said. "Got one bus ride in, so it brought back a lot of memories. I think it was 11 or 12 years since I was in the minor leagues, so it was pretty interesting. But the guys are great down there; they're working hard and doing a good job."
White Sox lose a late one:
Matt Davidson had to wait a bit, but the White Sox's designated hitter/third baseman homered for the third straight game against the Baltimore Orioles on Wednesday night at Guaranteed Rate Field.
After a rain delay of 90 minutes, the Sox lost to the Orioles 10-6.
Davidson led off the second inning with a home run to center against Orioles starter Dylan Bundy, his team-high 13th of the season.
In Monday's series opener, Davidson hit a solo homer, and he followed with his first career grand slam Tuesday night.
The White Sox led 5-1 early Wednesday, but starting pitcher Miguel Gonzalez had another rough outing and couldn't protect the advantage. Gonzalez (4-8) pitched 5 innings and allowed 8 runs on 9 hits and 2 walks.
New guy:
Tyler Saladino is out indefinitely with a bad back, so Alen Hanson has a shot at filling the White Sox's utility-infielder role.
Claimed off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates last Friday, Hanson made his Sox debut Tuesday. He started at second base and was 0-for-4.
Hanson pinch hit in the ninth inning Wednesday and hit his first major-league home run, a solo shot off Mychal Givens.
"The reports on him were very accurate," manager Rick Renteria said. "Kind of a slick fielding-type infielder. He's got a very strong arm. He's a kid that has played third, short and second and some outfield. We'll continue to look at him and see what he brings to the table."