Scot Shields has officially retired from baseball.

Shields had to be shut down in September of last season due to elbow problems and drew very little interest on the free agent market this winter. He told reporters in January that he was open to continuing his career in the right situation, but that situation never came along. The 35-year-old righty will finish with a stellar 3.18 career ERA and can safely be called one of modern baseball's most reliable setup men.

Scot Shields has yet to make a decision about retirement.

The veteran setup man told reporters at the end of last season that he was thinking about hanging up his cleats for good, but several teams have expressed interest and he has not yet filed official retirement papers. "I'm not leaning any way," Shields told the Los Angeles Times on Wednesday. "If something comes along that seems like it's a good deal in a good place, I will play. If not, I'll be happy to stay home and spend time with my family."

Scot Shields told Dan Woike of the Orange County Register that he is contemplating retirement.

"I don't know. I could be home," said Shields. "I've definitely put thought into that, just going home and spending time with the family, or, I could pitch again. If the right situation comes up, I'll look at it. But I'll be very happy to just go home." Shields hasn't pitched since September 7 due to tightness in his right elbow. The 35-year-old right-hander has struggled to stay on the field for each of the last two seasons, posting a 5.65 ERA over 63 appearances.

Scot Shields has probably thrown his last pitch this season because of a strained muscle on the inside of his forearm.

It appears Shields has avoided a major injury, as an MRI didn't reveal ligament damage to his elbow, but the forearm ailment is expected to end his year. He'll be examined by Dr. Lewis Yocum this week before a final decision is made. Shields has a 5.28 ERA in 43 games this season.

An MRI Friday on Scot Shields' elbow revealed no ligament damage.

However, he does have a strained muscle on the inside of his forearm. Shields hasn't pitched since September 7, and he is waiting on further word from Angels medical director Dr. Lewis Yocum before the next course of action is taken. It seems possible that Shields, who has had a horrible year, could be shut down.

Scot Shields left Tuesday's game against Indians in the seventh inning due to a tight right elbow.

Shields struck out Travis Hafner and walked Matt LaPorta to begin the frame before being replaced by rookie right-hander Michael Kohn. We're awaiting further word on the severity of the injury.

Mike DiGiovanna of the Los Angeles Times suspects that Scot Shields could be bumped off the Angels' roster within the next week.

Shields, once a dominant setup man, has walked 31 batters in 38 2/3 innings this season while posting an ERA of 6.05 and a 1.89 WHIP. There is no doubt that he is on the hot seat, especially with relievers Jason Bulger and Brian Stokes close to being activated off the disabled list. Shields will be a free agent this winter but could be designated for assignment before the end of 2010. Maybe he'll get a shot with a contending team.

Scot Shields gave up four runs on two homers in an inning out of the pen Wednesday versus the Yankees.

The only nice thing one could say about Shields' season to date was that he had managed to keep the ball in the park. However, he matched his total of homers allowed on the season by giving up two today. Shields has a 5.68 ERA and a 1.77 WHIP in 31 2/3 innings. He didn't factor into the decision today, but he essentially took the Angels out of the game by turning a two-run Yankee lead into a six-run lead in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Scot Shields took a loss after giving up a walkoff homer to Johnny Damon in the ninth inning Saturday.

The Angels keep hoping Shields will show something, but he's allowed 11 runs -- eight earned -- and walked eight in 6 1/3 innings to date. If he doesn't get it together soon, the Angels, who ate Justin Speier's salary last summer, might be forced to release a very expensive reliever for the second time in two years.