The Chicago White Sox have announced the following three roster moves:
 
•   Exercised the $4.65-million club option for 2019 on the contract of right-handed pitcher Nate Jones;
•   Declined the $16-million club option for 2019 on the contract of right-hander James Shields, opting instead to exercise a $2-million buyout, which makes Shields a free agent;
•   Reinstated right-hander Michael Kopech from the 60-day disabled list.
 
Jones, 32, went 2-2 with a 3.00 ERA (10 ER/30.0 IP), five saves, eight holds and 32 strikeouts over 33 relief appearances in 2018, his seventh season with the White Sox. He was limited to 33 games by a pronator muscle strain in his right arm. The White Sox hold club options for 2020 ($5.15 million) and 2021 ($6 million). 
 
Shields, 36, went 7-16 with a 4.53 ERA (103 ER/204.2 IP), 154 strikeouts and 19 quality starts over 34 appearances (33 starts) with Chicago in 2018. He tied for third in the American League in IP, reaching the 200.0-IP milestone for the 10th time in his career. Shields worked at least 6.0 IP in 26 outings in 2018, tied with Philadelphia's Aaron Nola and Arizona's Zack Greinke for the fifth-most in baseball.
 
Following the moves, the White Sox 40-man roster is at 34.