Coaches talking to Shields through struggles

Mamba · Apr 21, 2010

ANAHEIM

Scot Shields isn't talking to reporters about his problems. But he is talking to someone.

Angels manager Mike Scioscia said he and pitching coach Mike Butcher met with Shields Wednesday to discuss the veteran reliever's control problems which have led to a bloated 16.20 ERA through five appearances this season and seven walks in just 3 1/3 innings.

Twelve of the past 18 batters Shields has faced have reached base (four hits, seven walks, one error). Scioscia called Tuesday's walk on the wild side (during which Shields walked the bases loaded and missed the strike zone badly at times) "a release-point issue" and emphasized that Shields has gotten "out of sync" with his delivery at times in the past.

"This is not unusual for Scot at certain points to have what's going on right now," Scioscia said. "We just wanted to reinforce to him that his velocity is fine, he's healthy, his breaking stuff has been terrific.

"We were trying to get the concepts to get him locked in and pitching the way he can."

Shields has indeed gone through stretches like this before. On more than one occasion, the Angels made him unavailable in games for a few days so that he could focus on ironing things out in pre-game throwing sessions. During one of those sessions in Sept. 2007, a frustrated Shields memorably interrupted a simulated game to heave a ball from the pitcher's mound into the right-field pavilion.

"We're not there yet," Scioscia said of shutting Shields down in a similar fashion until he can address his current problems. "Obviously, that is a tool we've used. We could revisit that.

"Right now, nobody feels it's the type of situation where we shut him down and get him into an instructional environment. He's healthy. His arm feels great. It's going to take a little work but he'll find it."

That could be a touchy process – finding the right game situations to get Shields enough work to get through his problems. Those situations certainly won't be in the seventh or eighth innings of close games. Those setup innings now belong to Kevin Jepsen and Fernando Rodney – or Brian Fuentes, if the closer is demoted after blowing a save Wednesday.

Complicating matters is the nagging question of whether Shields will be able to recapture his old form after missing most of last season following knee surgery.

"We have every confidence he'll get it back," Scioscia said. "And once he gets it back, he keeps it for a long time."

Shields was keeping his thoughts to himself. He didn't speak with reporters after Tuesday's game and cut off reporters who approached his locker Wednesday afternoon.

"I'm not really talking. Sorry, guys," he said. "I stunk. Period."
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http://www.ocregister.com/sports/shields-245281-game-scioscia.html

Mamba · Apr 21, 2010

With all do respect to Shields, as he was probably the best set up man in baseball in the 2000's decade, it is time for him to hang them out unless he can develop a new pitch. A sinker would work miracles for him.

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Coaches talking to Shields through struggles

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Coaches talking to Shields through struggles

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