Rangers Sign Kevin Pillar, Face Season-Ending Injury to Prospect Alejandro Rosario

SURPRISE, Ariz. — Outfielder Kevin Pillar announced he is continuing his baseball career by signing a minor league deal with the Texas Rangers on Sunday. The contract includes an invitation to spring training, offering the 36-year-old veteran a chance to return to the field following a brief retirement announcement.

Pillar underwent offseason thumb surgery and indicated recovery has reignited his passion for the game. “I know I said I was gonna retire, but I’m entitled to take that back,” Pillar stated, as reported by MLB.com. “I still had a bad taste in my mouth the way my individual season ended last year.”

Originally drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 32nd round of the 2011 MLB Draft, Pillar made his major league debut in 2013. He later played for several teams, including the Blue Jays, San Francisco Giants, and New York Mets, accumulating a career batting average of .255 with 114 home runs and 468 RBIs over 1,214 games.

Last season, Pillar had a .229 average, eight homers, and 45 RBIs in 100 games. After becoming a free agent, he reflected on his decision to step away, ultimately deciding to sign with the Rangers. Rangers manager Bruce Bochy commented, “He’s a really talented player with a good right-handed bat who plays all three outfield positions. He’ll be here competing for a job.”

While Pillar’s return brings excitement, the Rangers are facing a challenging situation with pitcher Alejandro Rosario. General Manager Chris Young announced that Rosario, the organization’s second-best pitching prospect, is expected to undergo season-ending elbow surgery. Young indicated the injury is likely to be a ulnar collateral ligament issue, commonly known as Tommy John surgery, although further evaluations are ongoing.

The 23-year-old Rosario was drafted by the Rangers in the fifth round of the 2023 MLB Draft out of the University of Miami. He posted impressive numbers last season, achieving a 2.24 ERA with 129 strikeouts in 88.1 innings in the minors. Young expressed confidence in Rosario’s recovery, stating, “We have a great medical team and are confident we’ll nurse him back to full health in time.”

As the Rangers gear up for spring training, they hope to balance the excitement of Pillar’s return with the unfortunate news regarding Rosario. The team is aiming for a successful season on the field, navigating both veteran experiences and the challenges of injuries in their roster.