Royals' Shields ready for World Series after passing kidney stone

A kidney stone prevented Kansas City Royals right-hander James Shields from taking the mound for Game 4 of the American League Championship Series last week, but the 32-year-old is nevertheless poised to take the ball when the World Series begins Tuesday at Kauffman Stadium.

Back pain and nausea befell the veteran hurler two Sundays ago, prompting the Royals to send him for a CT scan to determine the source of the discomfort. 

“It was excruciating pain,” Shields told the Kansas City Star during Monday’s workout at Kauffman Stadium. “I wasn’t feeling good.”

Though the team's medical staff determined he had already passed the stone when he underwent the exam, Shields still looked unwell when Game 3 was rained out last Monday. It was a development that afforded manager Ned Yost the opportunity to use Shields on normal rest in Game 4.

Shields insisted he was well enough to pitch, but Yost opted instead for left-hander Jason Vargas, who allowed one earned run over 5 1/3 innings en route to a 2-1 victory over the Baltimore Orioles that secured Kansas City's spot in the World Series.

“I probably could have used the extra day (of rest),” Shields said. “But I just told them ‘Whenever you need me, I’m ready to go.’”

Shields, known affectionately as "Big Game James", owns a 5.63 ERA over three postseason starts thus far, notching 15 strikeouts while issuing five walks over 16 innings.