KEVIN PILLAR NEWS

Starts against lefty Pillar started in left field and went 2-for-4 with a double in Tuesday's 4-0 win over the Angels.

Impact Pillar filled in for the injured Wyatt Langford (oblique) with lefty Yusei Kikuchi on the mound for the Angels. Pillar (against lefties) and Josh Smith (righties) have shared left field since Langford was added to the injured list last week. The Rangers are scheduled to face a right-hander Wednesday.

6 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Starts in left field Pillar started in left field and went 1-for-4 with a run scored in Wednesday's 6-2 win over the Cubs.

Impact Pillar's singled and scored in the fifth inning. He filled in for the injured Wyatt Langford, who was placed on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with an oblique injury. Pillar drew the start against lefty, but Josh Smith could be the preferred option Friday when the Rangers face Seattle righty Bryce Miller.

APRIL 10 • ROTOWIRE

Enters following teammate's injury Pillar took over in left field Tuesday after Wyatt Langford (side) was removed from the Rangers' 10-6 win over the Cubs. Pillar went 0-for-1 in his lone plate appearance.

Impact Depending on the extent of Langford's injury, Pillar could see time in left field in the short term. Josh Smith, who was already in the game at first base, is also an option.

APRIL 9 • ROTOWIRE

In lineup against lefty Pillar started in center field and went 0-for-3 in Monday's 7-0 loss to the Cubs.

Impact Pillar made his second start of the season, both coming as the center fielder against lefties. Leody Taveras is the primary center fielder when the Rangers face righties. Pillar is 4-for-10 with a stolen base, an RBI and three runs scored through five outings.

APRIL 8 • ROTOWIRE

Langford's 2-run homer in the seventh inning lifts Rangers past Rays 6-4 for 4th straight win

Wyatt Langford hit a go-ahead two-run homer in the seventh inning after Jacob deGrom allowed a four-run lead to slip away and the Texas Rangers beat the Tampa Bay Rays 6-4 for thei...

APRIL 6 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

How Kevin Pillar went from near-retirement to the Rangers' roster This story was excerpted from Kennedi Landry’s Rangers Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it reg...

APRIL 2 • MLB.COM

Makes impact in Ranger debut Pillar started in center field and went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored in Thursday's 5-2 loss to Boston.

Impact Pillar started over Leody Taveras against a left-hander and made an immediate impact with an RBI-single in his first at-bat as a Ranger. He singled in next plate appearance and scored on a Kyle Higashioka double. The 13-year veteran, playing for his 10th MLB team, beat out prospect Evan Carter during spring training to earn a roster spot. Pillar is expected to be part of a platoon with the switch-hitting Taveras, who has a career .612 OPS against southpaws.

MARCH 28 • ROTOWIRE

Abreu hits 3-run shot in 9th for his second homer in the opener to power Red Sox past Rangers 5-2

Wilyer Abreu hit a three-run shot in the ninth inning for his second homer of the opener, powering the Boston Red Sox past the Texas Rangers 5-2

MARCH 27 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Contract selected The Rangers selected Pillar's contract from Double-A Frisco on Wednesday.

Impact Pillar initially planned for 2025 to mark the first year of his retirement, but after changing his mind in December and slashing .273/.320/.386 in spring training, the 36-year-old now finds himself on Texas' Opening Day roster. His best chance to play will be as a DH against left-handed starters; otherwise, Pillar likely won't crack the starting nine very often.

MARCH 26 • ROTOWIRE

Makes Opening Day roster Pillar will be on the Rangers' Opening Day roster, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact Pillar said late last season that he was going to retire, but he changed his mind and has now made an Opening Day roster. Manager Bruce Bochy said that Pillar could see some starts against lefties between designated hitter and center field, although the skipper noted that a platoon in center with Leody Taveras is not a guarantee.

MARCH 25 • ROTOWIRE

In hunt for roster spot Pillar started in right field and went 2-for-3 with a walk and two RBI in Friday's spring game against San Diego.

Impact Pillar, who signed as a non-roster invitee after spring training began, has helped his chances of making the roster during Cactus League competition. He's batting .296 (8-for-27) with a double, six RBI and two steals over 10 spring games. He could serve as a utility outfielder, capable of filling in at all three spots. His primary competition for the roster appears to be Ezequiel Duran, who's struggles in 2024 have carried over to the spring. Duran is batting .185 (5-for-27) with one double and two steals over 12 games. Pillar won out over Duran in the latest projected Opening Day roster compiled by Kennedi Landry of MLB.com.

MARCH 15 • ROTOWIRE

DeGrom and Langford make their first spring training appearances with the Rangers

Jacob deGrom and Wyatt Langford each made their first spring training appearance with the Texas Rangers

MARCH 8 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Rangers sign veteran OF Kevin Pillar to minor league deal with invite to big league camp

The Texas Rangers have signed veteran outfielder Kevin Pillar to a minor league contract with an invitation to major league camp in spring training

FEBRUARY 23 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Joins Texas as NRI The Rangers signed Pillar (thumb) to a minor-league contract that includes an invitation to spring training Sunday.

Impact Pillar said last summer that he was leaning toward retirement, but he later changed his mind and stated in December that he hoped to play in 2025. The veteran outfielder will have a chance to battle for a roster spot during spring training with the Rangers, who would represent the 10th team he's played for over a seven-year span if he's able to make the club. Pillar underwent left thumb surgery during the offseason, but the issue isn't expected to hold him back from taking part in games during the exhibition slate.

FEBRUARY 23 • ROTOWIRE

Changes mind, wants to play in 2025 Pillar (thumb) said Monday in an interview on MLB Network that he wants to continue playing in 2025.

Impact Pillar said back in July that he was "98 percent" sure he was going to retire following the 2024 season, but after taking "some time to reflect," he's now changing his tune and hopes to latch on with a club for 2025. The veteran outfielder also revealed that he underwent left thumb surgery at the beginning of the offseason. Pillar will turn 36 in January and should be healthy for the start of spring training. He slashed .310/.352/.500versus left-handed pitching in 2024 and should have a decent chance to land a job as a reserve or short-side platoon outfielder.

DECEMBER 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

"I regret saying it... It's not a word I use ever" - When Kevin Pillar apologized for homophobic remark aimed at Jason Motte Back in 2017 when Kevin Pillar was still with the Toronto Blue Jays, he got himself involved in a controversial incident that got him suspen...

NOVEMBER 18, 2024 • SPORTSKEEDA.COM

MLB Free Agents List

MLB Free Agents List

OCTOBER 31, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

MLB Potential Free Agents List

MLB Potential Free Agents List

OCTOBER 29, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Superman-turned-TV analyst: Kevin Pillar has rave reviews for former Blue Jays teammate Teoscar Hernandez "I'm happy to see him have success. He's in a great place if he wants to win."

OCTOBER 29, 2024 • TORONTOSUN.COM

Productive in Friday's loss Pillar went 1-for-4 with a walk, a solo home run, a second run scored and a stolen base in Friday's 9-7 loss to the Astros.

Impact In his return from a thumb injury, the veteran outfielder took Hector Neris deep in the seventh inning as the Angels tried to mount a comeback from an early 6-1 deficit, but it was the last run Pillar's team would score on the night. Pillar's 11 steals on the season are his most since 2019, and the 35-year-old has managed a respectable .242/.300/.402 slash line over 291 plate appearances with eight homers, 36 runs and 45 RBI.

SEPTEMBER 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Tucker, Bregman and Meyers homer to help Astros to 9-7 win over Angels

Kyle Tucker had four hits, including a home run, and Jake Meyers and Alex Bregman both hit home runs while combining for six RBIs to help the Houston Astros beat the Los Angeles An...

SEPTEMBER 21, 2024 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Activated from IL The Angels reinstated Pillar (thumb) from the 10-day injured list Friday.

Impact Pillar has been held out of action since Sept. 7 due to a sprained left thumb, but he'll now return for what is expected to be the final nine games of his professional career. The 35-year-old outfielder has slashed just .147/.205/.200 with 12 RBI since Aug. 1, though he may earn a few starts during the final stretch due to the plethora of injuries in Los Angeles' outfield. Charles Leblanc was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake in a corresponding move.

SEPTEMBER 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Yet to resume activities The Angels announced Monday that Pillar (thumb) has yet to resume baseball activities since being placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

Impact Pillar doesn't look like he'll be on track to return from the IL in the minimum 10 days while he contends with a sprained left thumb, but he should have a chance at playing again this season if he's able to increase his workouts in the coming days. The 35-year-old has already announced plans to retire after the season, so he may have some extra incentive to push for a return to the field later this month even while the Angels are on the precipice of being eliminated from playoff contention.

SEPTEMBER 9, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Placed on IL The Angels placed Pillar on the 10-day injured list Saturday with a sprained left thumb.

Impact It appears as though Pillar picked up the injury during Friday's game against Texas after he replaced Jo Adell (oblique) in the second inning. With Adell joining Pillar on the injured list, Jordyn Adams and Bryce Teodosio were added to the 26-man roster and should see plenty of work in the outfield.

SEPTEMBER 7, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Returning to bench role Pillar is out of the lineup for Wednesday's game against the Tigers, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

Impact Pillar will head back to the bench after he had started in each of the Angels' previous four contests. The Angels faced one left-handed starter (Brant Hurter) during that stretch, and Mickey Moniak also missed two games with an elbow injury, so despite what his recent usage might suggest, Pillar still looks to be stuck in a fourth-outfielder role.

AUGUST 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE