White Sox put Miguel Gonzalez on DL, activate James Shields

TORONTO — The White Sox put right-hander Miguel Gonzalez on the 10-day disabled list Sunday and reinstated James Shields.

Shields, who made three starts before going on the DL in April with a strained right lat, pitched 5‰ innings and allowed three runs in the Sox’ 7-3 loss to the Blue Jays.

Gonzalez, 33, has inflammation in the AC joint in his right shoulder. His DL stint is retroactive to June 15.

Manager Rick Renteria said he didn’t expect Gonzalez, who took a cortisone shot and said he played light catch Sunday morning with no pain, to be on the DL for long.

“It’s more a precautionary tale for us,’’ Renteria said. “We anticipate it’s going to be a short-lived situation.’’

Gonzalez, 4-8 with a 5.49 ERA in 13 starts, had a 3.18 ERA after his first six starts but has struggled since. He has allowed 18 earned runs in three starts in June.

“It’s been bothering me for a little more than a month,’’ Gonzalez said. “Thought it was going to get better with time, but it just didn’t. We decided to give it some rest.’’

Shields, Dylan Covey, Carlos Rodon and now Gonzalez, all starters, have been on the DL this season.

Shields returns

Shields, who made three rehab starts with Class AAA Charlotte, was staked to a 3-0 lead in the fifth and was a pitch away from six innings of one-run ball but allowed a two-run homer to Russell Martin and left with the game tied at 3.

A two-out roller by Troy Tulowitzki hit third base in front of Todd Frazier before the homer.

“I got two quick outs in the sixth right there,’’ Shields said. “I’ve got to bear down and get the out. I’ve got to do a better job than that. First outing back, though, not too bad.’’

Shields struck out three and walked one. He had been on the DL, for the first time in his career, since April 21.

Leury still out

Leury Garcia, who has not started since June 11 in Cleveland, still had swelling in his left hand beneath his index and middle fingers and was available only to pinch-run, he said.

Another X-ray, which was negative, was taken to rule out a small fracture.

“Hopefully [he’s back] sooner rather than later,’’ said Renteria, who hasn’t ruled out a stint on the DL.

Rodon gets closer

Rodon (bursitis in biceps) came out of his third rehab start for Charlotte feeling healthy, Renteria said, but he elevated his pitches somewhat in 5‰ innings. He allowed three runs and had a strikeout and a walk.

“We look at that as a possibility to have one more start there,’’ Renteria said.

“The biggest thing for all of us right now that we’re really happy with is he’s healthy. We want him to use his breaking ball a little more down there, mix in all of his pitches, so when he does join us, he’s fully capable of doing what he did in the past.’’

Rodon has a 6.75 ERA for Charlotte. If he makes one more start, with four days of rest, he would be on track to pitch against the Yankees at home June 27.

Lefties galore

The Sox are off Monday. The probable starters Tuesday through Thursday against the Twins in Minneapolis are left-handers Derek Holland, David Holmberg and Jose Quintana.

Follow me on Twitter @CST_soxvan.

Email: dvanschouwen@suntimes.com

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