Fields is three weeks away
Local White Sox pitcher assigned to Great Falls
Columbia Falls native Josh Fields is doing just fine.
The AAA pitcher for the Chicago White Sox is rehabbing the shoulder he had surgically repaired in September and said he feels like he got over the hump towards recovery this week.
"It just takes time," Fields said. "Last week went good. The week before that went good. This week I feel like I got over the hump."
Fields said he is still about three weeks away from being activated with the rookie level Pioneer League Great Falls White Sox.
"I will throw bullpen all next week and then throw simulated games after that," Fields said. "Then if I feel like I'm strong enough, I'll be activated. I'll probably get a couple of rehab stints with Great Falls before I go back to AAA ball."
Fields has been traveling and working out with Great Falls for about three weeks. He does all his workouts in uniform before each game and then takes off his uniform and watches every game from the stands.
"This has been a lengthy process," said the 26-year-old who was working out at the White Sox spring training facility in Tucson, Ariz., prior to being assigned to Great Falls. "But the whole reason I had surgery was because it was a pretty bad injury and (the White Sox) have given me the luxury of taking my time getting back. Otherwise, if I rushed myself, I could lose another five to six years out of my career."
Fields finished last season with a 4-5 record and a 2.75 ERA with the Charlotte Knights. He pitched 68 2/3 innings in 55 games as one of the Knights' top men out of the bullpen. He gave up only 21 walks while striking out 51 batters and posted a 1.19 WHIP. He was very close to being considered a late-season callup to the big club as it prepared for its eventual World Series championship.
Fields has been in professional baseball since 2001 and has pitched for every White Sox affiliate, except Great Falls.
"I've done it all," Fields said. "I've worked out in spring training with all the major leaguers and I've pitched everywhere. The only thing I haven't done is pitch in a Major League Baseball game. Man, I want to get up to the majors."
Fields was able to come home to the Flathead Valley Wednesday evening to spend some time with family and friends after Great Falls played Helena in Helena Wednesday. The rest of the team was bused to Missoula in
preparation for a three-game series with the Osprey and coaches allowed Fields to go home before driving himself down to Missoula Thursday.
Going into Wednesday's games, Great Falls was in second place in the Pioneer League North Division with an 8-7 record, two games behind Billings. Missoula and Helena were tied with 6-9 records.
Charlotte is dominating the AAA International League. The Knights are 55-30, 14 games up on first place in the South Division.