CHICAGO -- White Sox right-hander James Shields vowed Tuesday to stay in the rotation despite back pain and asked for patience from fans amid the worst season of his career.
A day after Chicago manager Robin Ventura suggested Shields could be shut down, the 11-year veteran said a doctor's visit produced good news.
"Knock on wood, I haven't missed a start my whole career and I don't really plan on it, either,'' Shields said. "It's one of those things where I'm pretty sure I'll be out there on Saturday.''
Shields struggled early in the season with San Diego, even allowing hefty New York Mets pitcher Barolo Colon's first home run in May.