Shields doesn’t worry about trading deadline

Scot Shields is once again providing the Angels with a reminder of why they have refused to part with him this time of year.

Typically one of the most requested Angels in midseason trade discussions the last few seasons, the setup man punctuated his two scoreless innings Wednesday night at Great American Ball Park by striking out the side in the eighth inning to help the Angels secure a 6-3 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

The right-hander has not given up a run in his last eight appearances spanning 9 2/3 innings, and he has given up only one run in his last 12 appearances over his last 13 1/3 innings.

As the July 31 non-waiver trading deadline inches closer, Shields said there is no reason for him to fret about whether he will remain an Angel.

“That’s something I really can’t control,” Shields said. “I’ve heard it for the last three years around this time and the Angels haven’t gotten rid of me yet. Hopefully, this year’s not any different.”

Shields has combined with closer Francisco Rodriguez to give the Angels arguably the best back-of-the-bullpen duo in baseball, and they are understandably reluctant to disrupt that continuity.

“There’s some good combos out there in our league -- some terrific closers and some terrific setup men -- but combining those two, they’re tough to beat,” Manager Mike Scioscia said. “They’ve been incredible.”

While saying he is not enticed by the prospect of becoming a closer for another team, Shields acknowledged that he would do so if asked.

“It’s not something that I have to do,” he said. “I’m perfectly happy with the role that I’m in, especially having someone like Frankie behind me closing. I’m happy to be his setup man the rest of my career.

“But if something happens and I do go somewhere else and they ask me to close, I’ll definitely jump at it.”

Shields has distinguished himself as one of the most consistent and durable relievers in the game. Over the last three-plus seasons, his 318 1/3 innings are the most by any reliever.

“He’s been blessed with a rubber arm,” pitching coach Mike Butcher said of Shields, who leads the Angels bullpen this season with 30 appearances. “Very seldom is he stiff or sore.”

Shields has also bounced back from an uncharacteristically slow start in which he struggled with his command. He has lowered his earned-run average from 4.63 to 2.41 by holding opponents scoreless in 17 of his last 20 appearances.

“I started out the year struggling a little bit,” Shields said, “but once I got everything down and started pitching the way I know I can, I have had some success.”

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Bench coach Ron Roenicke returned to Southern California to attend his son Lance’s graduation from Chino Hills High. He will rejoin the Angels on Friday when they open the Freeway Series at Dodger Stadium. Hitting coach Mickey Hatcher served as the bench coach in Roenicke’s absence....With a first-inning double, Chone Figgins extended his hitting streak to 12 games, one short of his career high....Garret Anderson returned to left field after a two-game absence because of tightness in his right hip flexor....Scioscia said he started Erick Aybar at second base to give Howie Kendrick a breather before a day game today in the series finale against the Reds.

ben.bolch@latimes.com