Pillar announced his retirement from professional baseball Wednesday in his appearance on the "Foul Territory" podcast.
Pillar put up a .465 OPS in 20 games with the Rangers earlier this season before being released. The 36-year-old played parts of 13 big-league seasons for 10 different teams, finishing with a .255/.293/.405 batting line, 114 home runs and 111 stolen bases.
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Kevin Pillar: Entering free agency
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Pillar was released by the Rangers on Saturday.
Pillar was DFA'd by the Rangers on Sunday, and the 36-year-old outfielder will test the open market rather than remain in the organization. Pillar slashed .209/.209/.256 with one home run and three RBI in 43 plate appearances prior to his exit from the Rangers' 40-man roster. He could garner interest from teams looking to add veteran outfield depth.
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Rangers' Kevin Pillar: DFA'd by Texas
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The Rangers designated Pillar for assignment Sunday.
The veteran outfielder is being jettisoned from the 26-man active roster and 40-man roster to create room for Alejandro Osuna, who was promoted from Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday with Joc Pederson (hand) heading to the injured list. Pillar earned a spot on the Rangers' Opening Day roster and saw action in 20 games, producing a .209/.209/.256 slash line in 43 plate appearances.
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Rangers' Kevin Pillar: Hitless in return
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Pillar started in right field and went 0-for-4 in Sunday's 4-3 loss to the Astros.
Pillar was activated off the injured list Sunday and in the lineup against Houston left-hander Framber Valdez. Pillar is typically in the lineup against lefties but could see opportunities against right-handers after primary center fielder Evan Carter (quad) was placed on the 10-day injured list.
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Rangers' Kevin Pillar: Returns from injured list
Rotowire
Pillar (back) was reinstated from the 10-day injured list and is starting in right field and batting eighth Sunday against the Astros.
The veteran outfielder has been sidelined for the past couple weeks due to back inflammation, but he's ready to rejoin the Rangers after going 1-for-10 during a three-game rehab assignment. Pillar won't be an everyday fixture in the lineup, but he has a decent path to playing time with Evan Carter (quadriceps) landing on the injured list Sunday.
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Rangers' Kevin Pillar: Begins rehab assignment
Rotowire
Pillar (back) began a rehab assignment for Double-A Frisco on Wednesday and is 1-for-7 over two games.
Pillar started at designated hitter Wednesday and played seven innings in center field Thursday. He was rested Friday but the assignment is set to continue through the weekend, MLB.com reports.
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Rangers' Kevin Pillar: Set to begin rehab assignment
Rotowire
Pillar (back) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Frisco on Wednesday.
Pillar has missed the last week of action with lower-back inflammation but is ready to test himself in a game setting. He is eligible for activation from the 10-day injured list at any point and shouldn't need many rehab at-bats before rejoining the Rangers' active roster.
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Rangers' Kevin Pillar: Shelved with back inflammation
Rotowire
The Rangers placed Pillar on the 10-day injured list Wednesday due to lower-back inflammation.
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 with the Red Sox. 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.
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Rangers' Kevin Pillar: Cleared to start Thursday
Rotowire
Pillar (back) will start in center field and bat leadoff in Thursday's game against the Athletics.
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.
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Rangers' Kevin Pillar: Managing sore back
Rotowire
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.
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.
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Rangers' Kevin Pillar: Notches two steals Saturday
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Pillar went 1-for-4 with two stolen bases and a run scored in Saturday's 3-2 loss to the Giants.
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.
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Rangers' Kevin Pillar: Starts against lefty
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Pillar started in left field and went 2-for-4 with a double in Tuesday's 4-0 win over the Angels.
Pillar filled in for the injured Wyatt Langford (oblique) with lefty Yusei Kikuchi on the mound for the Angels. Pillar and Josh Smith (against righties) have shared left field since Langford was added to the injured list last week. The Rangers are scheduled to face a right-hander in Jose Soriano on Wednesday.
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Rangers' Kevin Pillar: Starts in left field
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Pillar started in left field and went 1-for-4 with a run scored in Wednesday's 6-2 win over the Cubs.
Pillar 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 Shota Imanaga, but Josh Smith could be the preferred option Friday when the Rangers face Seattle righty Bryce Miller.
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Rangers' Kevin Pillar: Enters following teammate's injury
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Pillar took over in left field Tuesday after Wyatt Langford (side) was removed from the Rangers' 10-6 loss to the Cubs. Pillar went 0-for-1 in his lone plate appearance.
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.
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Rangers' Kevin Pillar: In lineup against lefty
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Pillar started in center field and went 0-for-3 in Monday's 7-0 loss to the Cubs.
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.
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Rangers' Kevin Pillar: Contract selected
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The Rangers selected Pillar's contract from Double-A Frisco on Wednesday.
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.
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Rangers' Kevin Pillar: Makes Opening Day roster
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Pillar will be on the Rangers' Opening Day roster, Shawn McFarland of The Dallas Morning News reports.
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.
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Rangers' Kevin Pillar: In hunt for roster spot
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Pillar started in right field and went 2-for-3 with a walk and two RBI in Friday's spring game against San Diego.
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.
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Kevin Pillar: Changes mind, wants to play in 2025
Rotowire
Pillar (thumb) said Monday in an interview on MLB Network that he wants to continue playing in 2025.
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.
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Angels' Kevin Pillar: Yet to resume activities
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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.
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.
