Pillar has a grade one strain on his oblique and will be shut down for a week, Gregor Chisholm of MLB.com reports. Pillar, who is competing for the starting center field job, hit .267 with two homers and seven RBI in 116 at-bats for Toronto last season. This is a minor setback, but the team still expects him to be ready in time for Opening Day.

Pillar hit a two-run home run in the third inning of Tuesday's 8-7 loss to the Pirates. Pillar is in a scrap for the at-bats vacated by Michael Saunders' injury in left field as well as vying for the starting center fielder role with Dalton Pompey. While it is hard to take anything real out of spring training statistics, Pillar is certainly putting pressure on his teammates and if he can keep up the strong production throughout the spring, he could see his name called on Opening Day.

Pillar will compete for the Blue Jays' starting center field job during spring training, the Toronto Globe & Mail reports.Dalton Pompey might be the early favorite, but Pompey started last season at High-A Dunedin before finishing with the Jays in September. Pillar has more experience in the upper levels of the minor leagues, but it remains to be seen if the Jays view him as more than a bench outfielder at this point. Pillar carried a .323/.359/.509 line with 10 homers and 27 stolen bases at Triple-A Buffalo in 2014 (100 games), and there may be little left for him to prove in the minor leagues, so he'll likely stick as the fourth outfielder if he's unable to win the starting job.

Pillar is not in the lineup Wednesday against the Mariners, Barry Davis of Sportsnet reports. Pillar has developed into a regular for Toronto in left field, but will be out of the starting lineup for the third time this week. Dalton Pompey will fill in for him in left, batting sixth.

Pillar is not in the lineup Friday against the Yankees, John Lott of the National Post reports. Pillar has been seeing frequent time in the Blue Jays' outfield this month, but he's failed to make the most of his increased opportunities, posting just a .267/.298/.333 batting line in 16 games. He'll sit Friday in favor of Dalton Pompey in left.

Pillar is not in the lineup Wednesday, SportsNet's Barry Davis reports. Pillar has become something of an everyday player for Toronto down the stretch, despite sporting just a .270 OBP with a .333 SLG. John Mayberry will get the start in left field Wednesday.

Pillar is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Rays, according to John Lott of the National Post. Pillar started the last seven games in left field, but he will get a day off after going 0-for-5 over his last two contests. Colby Rasmus will enter the lineup Sunday in Pillar's place.

Pillar is in the lineup Wednesday against the Cubs, Shi Davidi of Sportsnet reports. Wednesday will be the sixth straight start for Pillar, who has taken over left field duties since Melky Cabrera's season-ending injury. Pillar has filled in well, with three straight multi-hit games, and figures to remain the starting left fielder for the rest of the season.

Pillar was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on Tuesday. Pillar has batted .323/.359/.509 with 10 homers and 59 RBI over 100 games with Triple-A Buffalo this season. He has also seen multiple short stints with the big league club, and Tuesday will mark his third of the season. Pillar will likely be on the team for the remainder of the season this time with the September roster expansion right around the corner.

Blue Jays optioned OF Kevin Pillar to Triple-A Buffalo. Pillar has hit only .225/.220/.300 across 26 games for the Blue Jays this season. Brad Glenn has replaced him on the roster.