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

EDGE Analysis

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.

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

EDGE Analysis

Pillar said last summer that he was leaning toward retirement, but he later changed his mind and stated in December that he hopes 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.

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

EDGE Analysis

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.

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

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

EDGE Analysis

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.

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.

EDGE Analysis

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.

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

EDGE Analysis

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.

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

EDGE Analysis

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.

Pillar will start in left field and bat third in Sunday's game against the Blue Jays, Jeff Fletcher of The Orange County Register reports.

EDGE Analysis

Though Pillar will be getting his third straight start Sunday, he's likely to move back into a fourth-outfielder role during the upcoming week. Mickey Moniak (elbow) will return to the lineup Sunday in center field following a two-game absence, but the Angels were able to keep a spot open in the outfield for Pillar since Taylor Ward is handling designated-hitter duties while Anthony Rendon receives a day off. Pillar is likely to be limited to the short side of a platoon with Moniak during the final month of the season.

Pillar will serve as the Angels' designated hitter and No. 3 batter in Sunday's game against the Nationals, Rhett Bollinger of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Though Pillar will draw an eighth consecutive start, the Mets have faced left-handed starters in six of those contests. The righty-hitting Pillar hasn't helped his case for earning more playing time against righties by batting .161 so far in August, and all of Taylor Ward, Mickey Moniak and Jo Adell are still likely to be prioritized in the outfield ahead of him.