Kevin Pillar Fantasy Stats

Long-time major-league outfielder Kevin Pillar announced his retirement on the Foul Territory podcast on Wednesday. Now 36 years old, Pillar began his professional career as a 32nd-round pick of the Toronto Blue Jays in 2011 and turned into an improbable success story. He debuted in the bigs in 2013 and eventually earned a reputation as a high-end defensive outfielder who could also contribute with the bat and on the base paths. Pillar spent the majority of his career in Toronto, but he made several other stops after Toronto traded him to San Francisco in 2019. He spent time with Colorado, Boston, the New York Mets, both Los Angeles teams, Atlanta, the Chicago White Sox, and the Texas Rangers from 2020-25. He appeared in 20 games with the Rangers this season and struggled to a .209/.209/.256 line in 20 games before the team released him. Pillar hangs up his cleats a lifetime .255/.293/.405 hitter with 114 home runs and 111 stolen bases over 1,234 games and 4,409 plate appearances.

Texas Rangers designated hitter Joc Pederson (hand) has been placed on the 10-day injured list with a right hand fracture. In a corresponding move, the Rangers designated outfielder Kevin Pillar for assignment. This opened a spot on the roster for outfield prospect Alejandro Osuna. Pederson was hit by a pitch during Saturday's contest and was later diagnosed with a fracture. As a result, fantasy managers should expect Pederson to miss at least the next month of action. Before his injury, Pederson was having a slow start to the season, holding a .131/.269/.238 line. Pillar held an underwhelming .209/.209/.256 slash line with just two doubles across 20 games. With both Pederson sidelined and Pillar leaving the roster, Osuna should have a path to seeing everyday opportunities in the Texas starting nine.

Texas Rangers outfielder Kevin Pillar (back) is scheduled to begin his minor-league rehab assignment with Double-A Frisco on Wednesday. Pillar is on the 10-day injured list due to inflammation in his lower back. The 36-year-old veteran has been out for the last week, but now that he's been cleared to play in minor-league games, he could rejoin the big-league roster sooner than later, possibly by this weekend or early next week. When he is cleared to come off the IL, expect Pillar to serve as a bench outfielder for the Rangers, leaving him little fantasy appeal in AL-only leagues. Before getting injured, the 13-year MLB veteran had gone 9-for-38 (.237) with no homers, two doubles, an RBI, three steals and six runs scored in limited playing time over 18 games.

The Texas Rangers have placed outfielder Kevin Pillar (back) on the 10-day injured list due to lower back inflammation. The 36-year-old has not appeared in a game since May 3. Through the early part of the campaign, the 36-year-old has appeared in 18 contests and posted a .237/.237/.289 slash line. Pillar has hit two extra-base hits (both doubles), tallied one RBI, and swiped three bags. Pillar has typically been deployed on the short side of a platoon in center field. While he is sidelined, fantasy managers should expect Evan Carter, Josh Smith, and Dustin Harris to share time in center field. Given his lack of consistent playing time and minimal offensive upside, Pillar should not be stashed in any standard format while he is on the injured list.

Texas Rangers outfielder Kevin Pillar will make the Opening Day roster. Shawn McFarland of the Dallas News reported that Pillar will likely be deployed as the designated hitter or in center field against left-handed pitching. Pillar inked a minor-league deal with the Rangers during the offseason. Last season, the 36-year-old spent time in the majors (100 games) split between the White Sox and Angels. Across this stint, he posted a .229/.291/.377 slash line with 16 doubles and eight long balls. While he posted a modest .173/.250/.292 line against right-handed pitching, Pillar performed quite well against southpaws, posting a strong .310/.352/.500 slash line. Fantasy managers in deeper AL-only formats should consider targeting Pillar when he faces southpaws, as he could carry value as a streaming option.

The Texas Rangers have signed outfielder Kevin Pillar to a minor-league contract on Sunday. The veteran outfielder will receive a minor-league contract with an invite to Major League camp. The 36-year-old will look to catch on as depth heading into the regular season. His offensive stats have taken a hit over the last few seasons, but Pillar could still be a useful bench option. He slashed .229/.291/.377 with eight home runs and 45 RBI across 100 games with the Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Angels. His days of being a fantasy contributor are likely over.

Veteran free-agent outfielder Kevin Pillar (thumb) has changed his mind and is now keeping the door open to playing in 2025. "I've just had some time to reflect...I still enjoy doing it. I'm pretty sure I still want to play," Pillar said. He will be at the upcoming winter meetings in Dallas to look for a new team. The 35-year-old said back in the summer that he was pretty certain that the 2024 campaign would be his last in the big leagues, but he's had a change of heart since the season ended and he's had time to reflect on his career. If Pillar does play next season, he'll likely have to settle for a minor-league deal somewhere as he tries to make the Opening Day roster out of spring training as outfield depth. Having surgery on his left thumb early in the offseason won't help his cause. Pillar hit only .229 with eight homers, 45 RBI and 12 steals for the White Sox and Angels in 2024, but he excelled against left-handed pitching.

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Kevin Pillar (thumb) was removed for a pinch-hitter late in the team's loss to the division-rival Texas Rangers on Sept. 6 and was placed on the 10-day injured list the next day with a left-thumb sprain. The Angels are holding out hope that Pillar can return before the end of the regular season, though, according to manager Ron Washington. However, Pillar still hadn't progressed to baseball activities as of Monday. The 35-year-old veteran is going to need to start improving soon if he wants to play again in 2024, but the out-of-contention Halos don't have any incentive to rush him back at this point. Pillar was brought in for outfield depth this year, mainly because of Mike Trout's (knee) injury, and he has provided a mediocre .251/.299/.396 slash line with a below-average .695 OPS, six home runs, 40 RBI and eight steals in his 76 games.

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Kevin Pillar is generating plenty of interest on the trade market. Pillar is 35 and has said he plans to retire after the season ends, so this would give him a chance to finish his career on a contender. He's had a really nice season for the Angels, slashing .287/.343/.481 with seven homers and nine steals in 181 at-bats. He likely would be a fourth outfielder on a contender, but he's a great piece to have as a late-inning defensive sub or pinch runner who can also hit a bit if needed. He likely doesn't need to be rostered in most fantasy leagues though, regardless of who he ends up going to.

Los Angeles Angels outfielder Kevin Pillar went 3-for-4 with three RBI, two runs scored, and a stolen base in Saturday's 9-3 win over the Royals. It was the 35-year-old's second three-hit game in his last four, so perhaps things are looking up for the veteran in what has been an otherwise forgetful beginning to the season. Through May 5, Pillar was batting .161 but this four-game stretch has raised his season average to .261 as he's logged just 12 starts in 2024 and has come in as a pinch-hitter, pinch-runner, or defensive replacement 12 times. The recent outburst is nice to see for Pillar, but you're still staying away for fantasy unless he can get more regular at-bats.