Shields done for season.

Post #1 » by **craig01** » Wed Sep 19, 2007 9:04 pm

James Shields was given the rest of the year off in hopes of preserving his arm.

His IP jump from last year (178 combined at Durham and TB) to 215 this year is as much as Madden and the Rays will allow.

Shields is not happy.

Still, great year, should have been 17 game winner had he had a bullpen.

http://tampabay.devilrays.mlb.com/news/ ... sp&c_id=tb

mets87 · Post #2 » by **mets87** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 6:52 am

smart move. hopefully everybody's learned from the kerry wood debacle how to manage a young arm.

Post #3 » by **craig01** » Thu Sep 20, 2007 12:10 pm

I go back and forth on it.

In the long run, there is nothing to gain by continuing to pitch now......

If you believe that there are only so many pitches in an arm, then this is the right thing to do.

If you believe that strength comes through endurance, then it's a pissoff for Shields.

IDK.......but I'm inclined to think that there are limits that the arm/shoulder can take.

mets87 · Post #4 » by **mets87** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 6:44 pm

craig01 wrote:I go back and forth on it.

In the long run, there is nothing to gain by continuing to pitch now......

exactly. the rays aren't exactly in the playoff race this season...why risk a serious injury? 200 innings is plenty for a young pitcher. you're not "babying" him by shutting him down...this mentality that people have about not "babying" pitchers is what screwed kerry wood (and mark prior) from having a fantastic career as a starting pitcher.

Post #5 » by **craig01** » Tue Sep 25, 2007 12:39 am

Agreed.

Especially with the season tanking so bad.