Pillar went 2-for-5 with a two-run home run, his first of the year, and a double in Sunday's loss to the Orioles.

EDGE Analysis

The Jays turned to Pillar to fill the leadoff role for a third straight contest Sunday, and he rewarded the club with his best game of the season. The outfielder is riding a modest five-game hitting streak that includes a .385 (5-for-13) batting average when hitting first in the lineup. Devon Travis, who Pillar displaced atop the order, went a paltry 3-for 31 (.097) in his time at leadoff, so it looks like the latter will continue to see extra at-bats as the team's table setter.

Pillar is batting leadoff Friday against the Orioles, Mike Wilner of the Blue Jays Radio Network reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pillar spent most of the season thus far toward the bottom of the batting order, and although he has only amassed a .242 batting average, manager John Gibbons will place him atop the lineup in an effort to jolt the Blue Jays offense into action. This could help Pillar garner a few more runs scored if he can maintain this position in the order.

Pillar turned in the best exhibition season of his career with a .345/.406/.500 slash line over 58 Grapefruit League at-bats.

EDGE Analysis

The center fielder led the team in hits (20) and doubles (7) this spring while owning the best on-base percentage among the 17 players with 30-plus at-bats. Assuming he's healthy, Pillar is a lock for 550 plate appearances in a potent Blue Jays lineup -- albeit from the lower-third of the order. Volume alone should afford the 28-year-old a chance to contribute across many formats.

Pillar said he and the Jays organization hid the fact that he was playing with a "torn thumb" for a majority of last season's second half, the Toronto Star reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pillar acknowledged that the torn thumb ligament -- an injury he suffered in early August while sliding into second base -- never fully healed last season, despite a short stint on the DL. "You don't want your opponent to know that you're hurt. If people knew that I was playing with a torn thumb, maybe they'd pitch me differently, maybe I'm not as effective. It wasn't the same as playing with two hands, but I don't use it as an excuse," Pillar said. The Jays' center fielder has never been known for his power at the dish, but the .333 slugging percentage Pillar posted after the 2016 All-Star break was significantly below the .401 mark he achieved during the campaign's first half. The 28-year-old says he's completely healthy now, and if Pillar's spring effort is any indication, it appears he's telling the truth. Through 18 Grapefruit League at-bats, Pillar is hitting .444/.500/.667 with four doubles. If Devon Travis (knee) begins the season on the DL -- and Travis is headed down that path -- Pillar may be the team's leadoff hitter on Opening Day.

Pillar will not suit up for Team Israel in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, Jon Morosi reports.

EDGE Analysis

The consensus had been that Pillar would play in the 2017 WBC for Israel, but that is no longer the case. After hitting .278 with 12 homers and 25 stolen bases in 2015, the Jays' center fielder had a disappointing season last year (.266 with seven home runs and 14 stolen bases). His lackluster performance cost him the leadoff job, negatively affecting his plate appearances and opportunities to collect fantasy-worthy stats. If Devon Travis struggles atop the team's batting order this season, Pillar may get another crack at the job, but that's not on the radar just yet. His stellar defense will make him a mainstay in the Jays' lineup; however, the 28-year-old entering his fourth season is best-suited for deeper leagues as of now.

Pillar went 3-for-4 with a double and scored a run in Tuesday's win over Seattle.

EDGE Analysis

It was Pillar's second straight three-hit performance, raising his average to .268, its highest mark since July 30, and identical to the 27-year-old's career batting average. He's enjoying September, hitting .300 while getting on-base more than 38 percent of the time, Pillar's highest OBP for any month this season. Tuesday's double was his career-high 34th of the season.

Pillar went 3-for-4 with a two-run double and a run scored in Tuesday's loss to the Yankees.

EDGE Analysis

Pillar is known more for his defense, but he delivered with the bat in this one. He looked like the hero after his eighth-inning double gave the Blue Jays a 4-3 lead, but Toronto failed to hold on. Don't expect a repeat effort any time soon considering Pillar had driven in just one run in his previous nineteen games.

Pillar went 0-for-4 with a strikeout in Monday's loss to the Yankees.

EDGE Analysis

It wasn't an enjoyable Labor Day for the outfielder. Not only did he have a forgettable day at the plate, Pillar also narrowly avoided a brutal collision with fellow outfielder Ezequiel Carrera late in the game. Since returning from the DL with a thumb injury, Pillar is 12-for-44 (.273) with a lonely RBI and six runs scored. The 27-year-old's elite defense keeps him locked in the Jays potent lineup, but his offensive production is average at best.

Pillar is back in the lineup Saturday against Minnesota, Barry Davis of SportsNet reports.

EDGE Analysis

As expected, Pillar will return to the outfield after an illness kept him out of action Friday night. Pillar will get the nod in center, while Melvin Upton starts in left and Michael Saunders starts in right.

Pillar (illness) is expected to return to the lineup Saturday, Barry Davis of SportsNet reports.

EDGE Analysis

Pillar was held out of action Friday night due to flu-like symptoms, but he appears to be feeling considerably better as of Saturday morning. Expect to see the outfielder in the lineup for the afternoon affair.