Rangers add Pillar, lose prospect Rosario to elbow injury

Veteran outfielder Kevin Pillar has postponed retirement, signing a minor league contract with the Texas Rangers on Sunday. The deal includes an invitation to spring training.

On the same day, Rangers general manager Kevin Young announced that pitching prospect Alejandro Rosario, ranked No. 56 overall by ESPN.com, has suffered an elbow injury and is expected to miss the 2025 season.

Pillar, who underwent offseason thumb surgery, said that once he fully recovered, he realized he still had the drive to continue playing.

“I know I said I was going to retire, but I have the right to change my mind,” Pillar told MLB.com. “I’ve played this game for so long and achieved many of my career goals. But the way my individual season ended left a bad taste in my mouth. … Sometimes, you don’t get to choose your own path in this sport, but I landed in the right place.”

Originally drafted in the 32nd round of the 2011 MLB Draft by the Toronto Blue Jays, Pillar made his big league debut in 2013 and has since played for several teams. His career has included stints with the Blue Jays (2013-19), San Francisco Giants (2019), Boston Red Sox (2020), Colorado Rockies (2020), New York Mets (2021), Los Angeles Dodgers (2022), Atlanta Braves (2023), Chicago White Sox (2024), and Los Angeles Angels (2024).

In 2024, Pillar appeared in 100 games, hitting .229 with eight home runs and 45 RBIs. He saw limited action in September, playing just 10 games before entering free agency.

Rangers manager Bruce Bochy, who previously coached Pillar with the Giants in 2019, praised his versatility and work ethic.

“He’s a really talented player, a solid right-handed bat who can cover all three outfield positions,” Bochy told MLB.com. “I had Kevin in San Francisco, and he’s a great teammate who plays all-out. That’s what you love about him. He’ll be here competing for a spot. I’ve been in his shoes—thinking about retiring, then realizing you miss it. It didn’t take him long to want back in.”

Over his 1,214-game career, Pillar has hit .255 with 114 home runs and 468 RBIs, tallying 1,044 hits along the way.

Meanwhile, Rosario, a 23-year-old right-hander drafted by Texas in the fifth round of the 2023 MLB Draft out of Miami, is facing a significant setback. In his first year in the minors, he posted a 4-5 record with a 2.24 ERA in 18 appearances (17 starts) across High-A and Class-A. He struck out 129 batters and allowed just 13 walks over 88 1/3 innings.

Young suggested that Rosario is likely dealing with a UCL injury, which could require Tommy John surgery.

“It’s likely UCL,” Young said. “I don’t want to say for sure yet, but yeah, it’s an elbow issue, and surgery is probably on the table.”