Shields is out of setup role

The Angels have long considered Scot Shields the premier setup man in baseball. But reputation and track record go only so far, and now Shields is a middle reliever, with three weeks to earn his job back or watch someone else set up Francisco Rodriguez in the playoffs.

The Angels demoted Shields from the setup role Monday, one day after he gave up a game-losing grand slam to Hank Blalock of the Texas Rangers. Shields has a 10.00 earned-run average since the All-Star break, and he has not worked a 1-2-3 inning since July 7.

“He’s a huge part of our bullpen,” Angels Manager Mike Scioscia said. “Right now, to get him back to where he needs to be, he needs to take a half-step backward.”

Scioscia said Shields would pitch a simulated game today -- a step usually reserved for pitchers rehabilitating an injury -- and would not pitch for another day or two thereafter. Scioscia said Shields would then be used in middle relief so as to “reinsert him in more of a way where he can get his feet on the ground.”

In the meantime, Scioscia said he would use Justin Speier as the primary setup man. He also said Darren Oliver, Chris Bootcheck and even rookies Jason Bulger and Rich Thompson could be used in late-game situations.

Shields, who was informed of the decision Monday afternoon in a closed-door meeting with Scioscia, declined to speak with reporters.

“He’s sound,” Scioscia said. “There’s nothing physically [wrong].”

Shields led all major league relievers in appearances over the last three seasons combined, and he made the most pitches of any reliever in 2004 and 2005. Scioscia said Shields’ velocity is down 1-2 mph but said that reflected an out-of-whack delivery, not a tired and overworked arm.

With expanded rosters this month, the Angels have the depth to rest Shields for a week or more, but they have chosen not to do so.

“I don’t think anything is pointing to him wearing down and losing his stuff,” Scioscia said. “A lot of velocity is mechanically driven. . . . I think that’s what we’re dealing with more than anything.”

Scioscia said today’s simulated game would focus on refining Shields’ delivery so he can recover a consistent release point.

John Lackey, who would have been the first major leaguer to win 17 games had Shields not blown the save Sunday, said he has not lost confidence in Shields and said “nobody is panicking” over his struggle.

Lackey marveled at the movement on Shields’ two-seam fastball -- “I don’t have anything that moves that much,” Lackey said -- and predicted Shields would return to form soon.

“His stuff is too good,” Lackey said. “With a track record like that, things will even out. He’ll be fine.”

The Angels’ triple-A Salt Lake affiliate opens the Pacific Coast League playoffs Wednesday against Sacramento. The Angels promoted Jose Arredondo, a top relief prospect, to Salt Lake from Class-A Rancho Cucamonga. Arredondo, 23, started the season at double-A Arkansas but was demoted after storming off the mound after he was replaced in a game. . . . The Angels’ Class-A Cedar Rapids affiliate, led by 2006 first-round draft pick Hank Conger and outfielder-turned-closer Warner Madrigal, opens the Midwest League playoffs Wednesday.

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bill.shaikin@latimes.com