Shields won't make his scheduled start Wednesday after the White Sox's game against the Tigers was postponed due to rain, MLB.com's Scott Merkin reports.

EDGE Analysis

With rain descending on Chicago again Wednesday, the White Sox and Tigers will have a game postponed for the second time in the series. Wednesday's game will be made up as part of a straight doubleheader May 26. White Sox manager Rick Renteria hasn't mentioned how the postponement will affect his rotation plans, but it's expected that Shields will simply have his start pushed back a day to Thursday for the series finale, assuming the weather cooperates.

Shields simulated a few innings and got in a bullpen session Friday, Andrew Guzman of the White Sox's official site reports.

EDGE Analysis

Shields had been scheduled to start Friday's exhibition game against the Brewers, but requested to throw a bullpen session instead. He said he was able to "work out a few kinks" and it was a good tuneup for his fist regular-season start scheduled Wednesday, April 5, against Detroit.

Shields will throw a bullpen session Friday instead of making a final spring start, Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

EDGE Analysis

Shields finishes with a 3.45 ERA and a 12:7 K:BB ratio over 15.2 innings this spring and heads into the season as the team's number two starter. The right-hander will look to improve upon a miserable 2016 campaign with the Sox (6.77 ERA, 31 home runs allowed), beginning next Wednesday against Detroit.

Shields allowed three runs on eight hits and three walks while striking out two over five innings in Sunday's game against the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

That's a lot of baserunners to be allowing but Shields was able to limit the damage to just one inning. Shields will likely pitch in one of the exhibition games against the Brewers next weekend before making his regular season debut the following Wednesday, April 5, against the Tigers.

Shields allowed three hits and one walk while striking out six over six scoreless innings Tuesday against the Rangers.

EDGE Analysis

Between Shields' two previous Cactus League starts and Tuesday's, we've seen about as different a pitcher as one can see. Shields, whose two previous appearances were in minor league games, needed just 75 pitches in what was clearly his best start of the spring. With two more spring starts, Shields is on track for the regular season. At some point, we expect the organization to trade the 35-year-old veteran, presumably to a playoff contender that offers more consistent run support than the rebuilding White Sox.

Shields allowed four runs (two earned) on two hits and three walks while striking out two over 2.2 innings in Monday's game against San Diego.

EDGE Analysis

Shields was good early, retiring six of the first seven batters, but lost it all in third inning. A blend of walks, hits and his own two-run throwing error ended his day earlier than anticipated.

Shields allowed one run on two hits and struck out one over two innings in Wednesday's game against Arizona, Barry M. Bloom of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

This was Shields first start of spring training, and the first chance to turn the page on what was a nightmare season in 2016, when the 35-year-old right-hander went 6-19 with a 5.85 ERA and 40 homers allowed. Shields had no explanation for the down year other than to say his delivery was "out of whack." He'll return to the White Sox's rotation in 2017, but there's a very real chance the veteran is traded in order to make room for the arms of the future.

Shields recognizes that he pitched poorly in 22 starts with the White Sox last season, but maintains confidence that be can bounce back in 2017. "That's not the first time I've had a rough season," Shields said. "I've been in the game a long time, and I know how to combat that. I worked real hard in the offseason, worked on some things in the gym, and I'm ready to go."

EDGE Analysis

Shields did bounce back from a poor season in 2010 (5.18 ERA) to finish third in the Cy Young voting in 2011 (2.82 ERA, 11 CG, 249 IP), but he was a 29-year-old lad then. Now, the right-hander is seeking to bounce back at 35 for a team whose eyes are looking a couple years down the road. Shields has been a durable starter over his career, averaging 33 starts and 217 innings the last nine seasons. He should be a trade piece for Chicago in 2017, when the organization is ready to hand over the starting rotation to its young hurlers at Triple-A.

Shields (6-19) allowed five runs on four hits and three walks over seven innings in Saturday's loss to the Twins, and struck out seven.

EDGE Analysis

Shields' nightmare season has mercifully ended with him currently leading MLB in earned runs (119), home runs allowed (40, most since 2011) and tied for most losses (19) between playing for the Padres and White Sox. Shields didn't even get to extend his streak of nine seasons with at least 200 innings pitched; he fell 26 innings short. If there's one indication that Shields could rebound next year it's that he's had his best season ever after his previously worst the year before. 2010 is his only other year with an ERA over five and WHIP over 1.40, and he completely changed that the next year by turning in his best season ever (2.82 ERA, 1.04 WHIP). However, he was 28 and 29 years old then. Now he's 34, and will have to fight against the headwinds of older age to turn things around next year.

Shields (4-11) allowed just one run on seven hits and two walks with six strikeouts over six innings to earn the win Monday against the Rays.

EDGE Analysis

It's too little too late to save his season, but Shields now has three quality starts in his past four outings and has struck out 24 batters in 23.1 innings in that span. Shields didn't give up a home run for just the second time in his past 10 starts, and his season has been defined by a career high 38 homers allowed in 32 starts split between the Padres and White Sox.