SEATTLE -- James Shields enjoyed a leisurely day on Saturday with plans to ramp up his activity once again on Sunday morning.
The White Sox starting pitcher wasn’t scheduled to throw on Saturday after a busy week of work. On the 10-day disabled list retroactive to April 21, Shields has passed every test after returning to action on Monday.
Previously shut down for nearly two weeks because of a sore lat muscle, Shields could throw off the mound on Wednesday if he continues to progress.
“I feel really good,” Shields said. “I don’t really feel anything. Body feels good, arm feels great. We’re just going to keep moving forward right now.”
Being sidelined for a month is a new experience for Shields, who has made at least 31 starts per season dating back to 2007. Shields said there have been many times in his career where he’s pitched through aches and pains.
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This experience has been a little different.
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Originally, the White Sox hoped Shields would only miss 10 days with his injury. But the right-hander’s body didn’t respond as both he and the club hoped and he was shut down after two days of playing catch earlier in the month.
Though he’s been frustrated and a little bored, Shields knows by the way his body has responded that the decision to take a step back was correct.
“It’s a little disappointing, frustrating,” Shields said. “But at the same time some times these things happen and I’ve realized and I’m moving forward and progressing to get back.”
“Normally if I can throw I can deal with a lot of pain, but it wasn’t allowing me to throw the baseball the way I want to. It was a smart decision to shut it down.”