Braves' Kevin Pillar: Might be in lead for bench spot
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Pillar could be the favorite to win the fourth outfielder spot on Atlanta's bench, David O'Brien of The Athletic reports.
The 34-year-old barely saw any action in the majors last season while in the Dodgers organization, but Pillar signed a minor-league deal with Atlanta this winter in the hopes of securing a more consistent spot, and he appears to have chosen wisely. His main competition for the job, Sam Hilliard, is a left-handed hitter as are projected starters Michael Harris and Eddie Rosario, so Pillar would provide a platoon option against tough southpaws in addition to his experience and ability to play all three outfield spots.
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Braves' Kevin Pillar: Signs on with Atlanta
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Pillar (shoulder) agreed Wednesday with the Braves on a minor-league deal that includes an invitation to spring training, Steve Adams of MLB Trade Rumors reports.
Pillar can earn $3 million if he makes the team out of spring training. The 34-year-old was only able to play four games in 2022 after undergoing left-shoulder surgery in June, and he produced a slash line of .231/.277/.415 with the Mets in 2021 over 124 contests. Pillar will contend for a bench spot with Atlanta in Grapefruit League play, but he's unlikely to be a significant fantasy contributor for the 2023 campaign.
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Dodgers' Kevin Pillar: Available for postseason
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Pillar (shoulder) took live batting practice Wednesday and is available if needed for the postseason, per MLB.com.
When Pillar underwent left shoulder surgery in early June, it was presumed that his season was over. However, the veteran outfielder has worked his way back to full health and played in six minor-league rehab games at the end of September, going 7-for-22 with a home run and six RBI. He'll be able to play in the postseason if called upon, though the Dodgers are unlikely to require his services unless injuries create a need.
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Dodgers' Kevin Pillar: Begins rehab stint
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Pillar (shoulder) began a minor-league rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City on Wednesday, per MLB.com.
Pillar fractured his left shoulder in June and was originally expected to miss the remainder of the season, but he's recovered more quickly than expected and is now playing with the Dodgers' Triple-A club. Through two games with OKC, he's gone 1-for-8 with a run and two RBI. There may not be a roster spot available for Pillar on the big-league club, so he'll work to be ready in case an injury creates a need over the final days of the regular season or in the playoffs.
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Dodgers' Kevin Pillar: Beginning rehab stint soon
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Pillar (shoulder) is set to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Oklahoma City in a few days, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
Pillar continues to progress in his rehab quicker than expected, as a return this season remains a possibility. He'll likely require at least a handful of games in the minors prior to being activated after missing nearly three and a half months with a left shoulder fracture.
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Dodgers' Kevin Pillar: Could return this season
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Pillar (shoulder) has been cleared to begin taking part in baseball activities and hopes to be playing in minor-league games by earlier September, Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times reports.
Pillar was believed to be done for 2022 after undergoing surgery for a fractured left shoulder in early June, but he's apparently ahead of schedule in his recovery and could make a late-season return. The 33-year-old will begin a hitting progression Monday at the Dodgers' extended spring training facility in Arizona.
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Dodgers' Kevin Pillar: Season likely over
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Pillar (shoulder) will get surgery Tuesday, which essentially ends his season, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
While Pillar is eligible to come off the 60-day injured list later this summer, the surgery likely means we won't see him until 2023. Pillar went 1-for-12 with zero home runs and zero steals in four games for the Dodgers.
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Dodgers' Kevin Pillar: Moved to 60-day IL
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Pillar (shoulder) was transferred to the 60-day injured list Friday.
This will rule him out for the rest of June and all of July. Pillar is out with a left shoulder fracture and is without a timetable to return. Eddy Alvarez took Pillar's spot on the 40-man roster.
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Dodgers' Kevin Pillar: Lands on 10-day IL
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Pillar was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left shoulder fracture Thursday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.
Pillar was removed from Wednesday's loss to the Pirates due to a shoulder injury, and he underwent scans Thursday that revealed a fracture. It's not yet clear how much time the outfielder will be forced to miss, but manager Dave Roberts said surgery is a possibility, according to Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times. Cody Bellinger (hip) is back in the lineup for the Dodgers on Thursday, while Zach McKinstry was recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City to provide additional depth for the major-league club.
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Dodgers' Kevin Pillar: Nursing shoulder injury
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Pillar exited Wednesday's loss to the Pirates after his left shoulder briefly popped out, David Vassegh of AM 570 LA Sports reports.
Pillar went 1-for-1 with a double, a walk and a run before leaving the contest after the fifth inning. The severity of the injury remains unclear, and the veteran outfielder will be further evaluated Thursday. He's made four starts since having his contract selected by the Dodgers over the weekend, but Cody Bellinger (hip) is expected to rejoin the lineup Thursday versus the Mets, so Pillar was likely headed for a reduced role regardless of his injury.
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Dodgers' Kevin Pillar: Contract selected by Dodgers
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Pillar's contract was selected by the Dodgers on Saturday.
Pillar has carved out a career by combining a below-average but passable bat with strong outfield defense, but he's fallen off a bit on the defensive side in his early thirties, which explains why he failed to win a roster spot in spring training. On a contender, he fits best as a bench player at this point in his career. That's presumably the role he'll fill during his time on the roster, though he could earn starts against lefties. Max Muncy (elbow) hit the injured list in a corresponding move, so Pillar's presence could help the Dodgers use utility players Gavin Lux and Chris Taylor in the infield more often.
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Dodgers' Kevin Pillar: Falls short in bid for roster
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The Dodgers reassigned Pillar to minor-league camp Monday, Bill Plunkett of The Orange County Register reports.
Pillar looks to be a victim of the Dodgers using 16 of their 28 active roster spots on pitchers heading into Opening Day, as he won't be included in a projected three-man bench that includes catcher Austin Barnes, corner infielder Edwin Rios and utility man Hanser Alberto. That being said, Pillar should be the top candidate for a call-up if the Dodgers should lose an outfielder at any point early in the campaign, though don't expect him to stick around at Triple-A Oklahoma City all season if a promotion doesn't come by the summer. His minor-league contract contains an opt-out date of June 1.
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Dodgers' Kevin Pillar: Joins Dodgers on minors deal
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Pillar signed with the Dodgers as a non-roster invitee Tuesday, Eric Stephen of SBNation.com reports.
Defense was Pillar's carrying tool throughout his prime, but the 33-year-old isn't the defender he once was. DRS pegged him as a slight negative last season, while UZR had him as a very slight positive. Combined with his .231/.277/.415 slash line, that doesn't add up to anything more than a bench option if he's even able to win a roster spot on one of the deepest squads in baseball.
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Kevin Pillar: Hits free agency
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Pillar became a free agent Thursday after his mutual contract option for 2022 was declined by the Mets, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reports.
Pillar appeared in 124 games during his lone season with the Mets and hit .231 with 15 home runs, 47 RBI, 40 runs and four stolen bases. However, he'll seek out other opportunities ahead of his age-33 season in 2022.
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Mets' Kevin Pillar: Losing work since Nimmo's return
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Pillar will start in right field and bat eighth Wednesday against the Red Sox.
Pillar will draw his second start in a row while Michael Conforto gets a breather, but Pillar was on the bench for the proceeding three contests and looks poised to finish the season as New York's fourth outfielder. Following Brandon Nimmo's recent return from the injured list, the Mets are likely to roll out a starting outfield of Jeff McNeil, Nimmo and Conforto from left to right more often than not.
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Mets' Kevin Pillar: Homers in loss
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Pillar went 2-for-4 with a single and a solo homer in Wednesday's 11-4 loss to the Cardinals.
Pillar smacked his 15th homer of the season off Jon Lester in the sixth inning Wednesday. The 32-year-old is now hitting .277 with three home runs in September, well above his season average of .222.
Mets' Kevin Pillar: Settles in as top center fielder
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Pillar will start in center field and bat seventh Wednesday against the Marlins.
He'll remain in the lineup for the fourth game in a row, and Pillar appears set to operate as the Mets' primary center fielder while Brandon Nimmo (hamstring) is on the shelf. Since Nimmo was moved to the injured list Sept. 4, Pillar has gone 5-for-15 with two home runs, two walks, six RBI and a stolen base.
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Mets' Kevin Pillar: Grand slam, stolen base in win
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Pillar went 2-for-4 with a grand slam, a walk and a stolen base in Sunday's 13-6 win over Washington.
The outfielder had already put together a productive day at the plate before he swatted a grand slam in the ninth inning to make the Mets' lead more comfortable. Pillar has gone yard four times in his last seven contests. He's up to 14 homers, 39 RBI, 35 runs scored and four stolen bases while slashing .224/.265/.422 through 283 plate appearances.
