Kevin Pillar was removed in the sixth inning of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the series finale due to what appeared to be a lower body injury. However, manager Dave Robert said Pillar’s left shoulder twice popped in and out during the game.
Pillar was originally checked on by a trainer and Dave Roberts in the bottom of the fifth inning but remained in the game. It came after Pillar began to break for home plate before retreating back to third base.
Pillar later raced home to score a run before a decision was made to remove him early. He’s not expected to be available Thursday and will undergoing testing on the injured shoulder.
“On a swing, I think in that at-bat, his left shoulder came out and then came back in. He’s dislocated it before and had surgery. And then on the slide, the same thing happened,” Roberts said.
“So [Thursday] he’s going to get a scan to see what happened or if there is any damage. He’ll be down, we’re going to wait to IL him and we’re going to see how it goes. He’s day-to-day, but [Thursday] he’ll be unavailable and then we’ll see where we go from there.”
Prior to leaving the game, Pillar doubled for his first hit with the Dodgers. He was 0-for-11 up to that point. The vetran outfielder was replaced by Cody Bellinger, was out of the lineup as he has been dealing with a left adductor strain.
Pillar has been with the team since they were in Arizona as a member of the Dodgers’ taxi squad in the event Max Muncy needed to go on the injured list. Pillar officially called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City and added to the active roster on May 28.
He signed a Minor League contract with the Dodgers during Spring Training because of his belief the organization was the best fit at this stage in his career. Pillar had a strong showing during the spring and made a case for a roster spot but began the season with Oklahoma City.
The 33-year-old is a career .259/.296/.408 with a .301 wOBA and 87 wRC+, but he has been known more for his defensive value in the outfield. He has been in the league since 2013 when he made his debut as a 24-year-old for the Toronto Blue Jays.
Pillar adds to Dodgers injuries
While Roberts planned to give Bellinger the day off, he was forced into action to replace the injured Pillar. Bellinger was showing improvement and the Dodgers planned to have him available prior to the game.
“He’s doing much better,” Roberts said. “But I just felt that to have an extra day to kind of feel good, go through the whole day. He’ll be in there tomorrow, be available off the bench today.”
While Bellinger is on the mend, Pillar joins Muncy as Dodgers position player who are ailing some. Muncy was put on the 10-day injured list on May 28.
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