Shields allowed seven runs on eight hits and two walks while striking out four over 3.2 innings in Sunday's start against Oakland.

EDGE Analysis

Shields picked an awfully bad time to put up a clunker, one day after being anointed the White Sox's Opening Day starter. The veteran right-hander told Steve Greenberg of the Chicago Sun-Times, that he fell behind hitters and it snowballed from there. It's something Shields will need to fix, and he'll get one more spring start to clean it up and get ready for Opening Day.

Shields will start for the White Sox on Opening Day against the Royals, James Fegan of The Athletic Chicago reports.

EDGE Analysis

With Carlos Rodon (shoulder) expected to be sidelined until June, Shields will get the nod for the season opener. This lines the veteran up to make his first two starts of the season on the road, against Kansas City and Toronto, respectively. He's looking to bounce back in 2018 after posting a 5.23 ERA in 21 starts last season. Shields allowed one run across four innings in his spring debut last week.

Shields (knee) is starting Thursday's split-squad game against Texas, Daryl Van Schouwen of The Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Shields will make his spring debut after easing his way into camp following a 2017 campaign that was cut short due to knee tendinitis, which required PRP injections. The right-hander posted a 5.23 ERA and 1.44 WHIP over 21 starts during his first full season with the White Sox last year. He figures to be in the mix for taking the bump on Opening Day.

Shields (knee) is scheduled to pitch Thursday against the Rangers, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

The veteran right hander is set to make his Cactus League debut after being eased into spring action. Shields struggled to a 5.23 ERA in 21 starts last season while dealing with tendinitis in his knees, but he's looking to bounce back in 2018 after taking the offseason to rest and rework his deliver. He's in the mix to start Opening Day for the White Sox.

Shields (knee) adjusted his delivery over the offseason with the hope to improve his fortunes on the mound, Bruce Levine of 670 The Score reports.

EDGE Analysis

According to reports, the veteran starter is working on implementing a lower arm slot in his delivery. He also has a renewed focus on his off speed offerings now that he understands his fastball isn't good enough to simply blow it past professional hitters. Shields struggled a lot last season, posting a 5.23 ERA in 21 starts, but as long as his body holds up over the course of the season, he hopes that this new approach is just what he needs to return to being a respectable pitcher in the majors.

Shields (knee) could be the White Sox's starter Opening Day at Kansas City, Scott Merkin of the White Sox's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Merkin, responding to readers' questions, speculated that Shields makes the most sense as the Opening Day starter if Carlos Rodon (shoulder) is not ready. The White Sox open the season with a six-game road trip in Kansas City and Toronto, meaning the Game 1 starter would need to pitch two games away from Chicago. The veteran right-hander would be more attuned to handle the road starts at the outset of the season rather than the young prospects (Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez, Carson Fulmer) that are expected to be part the starting rotation.

Shields won't make another start before the end of the season due to knee tendinitis, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Shields will get PRP injections in both of his knees and rest up for the remainder of the regular season. Chris Volstad is expected to step into the rotation to start Sunday for Shields. The 35-year-old compiled a 5.23 ERA and 1.44 WHIP in 117 innings (21 starts) this season.

Shields (5-7) allowed two runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out eight batters through seven innings during Monday's win over the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

Shields entered Monday with a serviceable 4.56 ERA, 1.29 WHIP and 8.6 K/9 through his previous nine outings, so this was another respectable showing from the veteran. Those are helpful fantasy numbers in deeper settings. Unfortunately, Shields lines up for a potentially tough road start against Cleveland to finish off his 2017 campaign.

Shields (4-7) allowed three runs on six hits and four walks while striking out five in Wednesday's 4-3 loss to the Astros.

EDGE Analysis

The loss snapped a two-game winning streak for Shields. The 35-year-old has a 5.40 ERA, the second consecutive season with an ERA above five, and is giving up a career-high 2.1 home runs per nine innings. After 10 straight seasons with more than 30 starts, there's a lot of mileage on that right arm. Now might be the time his effectiveness as a starter diminishes.

Shields (4-6) earned a win Thursday despite allowing four runs on nine hits -- including three homers -- over six innings against the Tigers. He struck out seven and issued one walk.

EDGE Analysis

This was ugly and it could have been much worse; all three homers allowed were solo shots. The fact that he was the "victor" here speaks to the futility of the pitcher win. Shields did turn in a strong performance his last time out Sept. 9 against San Francisco, but the underlying numbers suggest Shields has been even worse over the course of the season than his 5.43 ERA would indicate. He faces the Astros in Houston next week.