Kevin Pillar - Page 2 - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates

Tigers host the Rangers, aim to extend home win streak

The Detroit Tigers host the Texas Rangers aiming to extend a four-game home winning streak

MAY 9, 2025 • Associated Press

Rangers recall utilityman Ezequiel Duran after OF Kevin Pillar is put on 10-day injured list

The Texas Rangers have recalled utilityman Ezequiel Duran from Triple-A Round Rock to fill the 26-man roster spot vacated by outfielder Kevin Pillar

MAY 8, 2025 • Associated Press

Deadspin | Rangers place OF Kevin Pillar (back) on injured list Deadspin | Rangers place OF Kevin Pillar (back) on injured list

MAY 8, 2025 • DEADSPIN.COM

Red Sox and Rangers meet with series tied 1-1

Both the Boston Red Sox and the Texas Rangers are looking for a series win with a victory on Thursday

MAY 8, 2025 • Associated Press

Shelved with back inflammation The Rangers placed Pillar on the 10-day injured list Wednesday due to lower back inflammation.

Impact Texas will wait until Thursday to name a replacement for Pillar on the 26-man active roster, but Kennedi Landry of MLB.com relays that Ezequiel Duran is en route from Triple-A Round Rock to join the big club in Boston ahead of its series finale in Boston. Pillar had been filling a short-side platoon role in center field and had typically served as the Rangers' leadoff hitter against left-handed pitching.

MAY 7, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Cleared to start Thursday Pillar (back) will start in center field and bat leadoff in Thursday's game against the Athletics.

Impact Pillar hadn't played since Monday due to a sore back, but he'll be back in the lineup while the Rangers wrap up their four-game set against the Athletics with a matchup against southpaw Jeffrey Springs. Leody Taveras is expected to continue serving as the Rangers' primary center fielder, though Pillar will usually replace him when Texas faces left-handed pitching.

MAY 1, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Managing sore back Pillar is out of the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Athletics due to back soreness, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.

Impact The veteran outfielder is usually in the lineup against left-handed pitching, but the back issue will keep him on the bench versus A's southpaw Jacob Lopez. Pillar is likely to sit again Wednesday against righty Luis Severino but could be back in the starting nine Thursday against lefty Jeffrey Springs.

APRIL 29, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Notches two steals Saturday Pillar went 1-for-4 with two stolen bases and a run scored in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Giants.

Impact Pillar has settled into a short-side platoon role in the Rangers' outfield, and he got the start in center field against southpaw Robbie Ray on Saturday. There's always been some speed in Pillar's game, so it shouldn't be too surprising to see him get involved on the basepaths. He's batting .300 with a .667 OPS, one RBI, six runs scored and three steals over 30 plate appearances in 2025, but there's virtually no chance he sees steady playing time, especially with the Rangers' outfield at full health.

APRIL 26, 2025 • ROTOWIRE

Langeliers has 4 hits, Butler hits HR to help Athletics beat Rangers 5-2

Shea Langeliers had four hits and Nick Kurtz drove in a run with a base hit his first time up in his major-league debut to help the Athletics beat Texas 5-2 on a night that saw the...

APRIL 24, 2025 • Associated Press

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.

APRIL 16, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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, 2025 • 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

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