The Los Angeles Dodgers lost another contributor this week as Kevin Pillar was placed on the 10-day injured list with a left shoulder fracture.
The veteran outfielder sustained the injury during the Dodgers’ loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday. He was removed in the sixth inning to what initially appeared to be a lower-body injury.
However, Dodgers manager Dave Robert later revealed Pillar’s left shoulder twice popped out and back into place during the game. “The socket part basically broke in half,” Pillar explained. “It was a shock. It’s definitely a gut punch. It was devastating.”
Pillar’s injury was unfortunate timing as he recently joined the Dodgers in Arizona as a member of the taxi squad in the event Max Muncy needed to go on the injured list. Pillar officially was called up from Triple-A Oklahoma City and added to the active roster on May 28.
“I worked really hard to put myself in a position to be here,” Pillar began. “This was the place I ultimately wanted to be, that I dreamed of since I was a little kid. I finally felt like I was fitting in here.”
Pillar now likely faces shoulder surgery but he hopes to return at some point this season. “It’s a bummer. It sucks,” Pillar said of potentially needing an operation.
“But I’ve learned to look at everything as part of this baseball journey. It’s just another chapter in my career. I’m excited to have the surgery and start the road to recovery and see where it takes me.”
Prior to leaving the game, Pillar doubled for his first hit with the Dodgers. He was 0-for-11 up to that point. The 33-year-old is a career .259/.296/.408 with a .302 wOBA and 87 wRC+, but he has been known more for his defensive value in the outfield.
Roberts praises ‘tough’ Pillar for wanting to remain in game
After suffering a fractured left shoulder against the Pirates, Pillar tried convincing Roberts to let him stay in the game. “What’s interesting is that he was trying to lobby to stay in the game and potentially be ready for Saturday,” Roberts said of Pillar.
“It just speaks to how tough he is. But with the imaging, the fractured shoulder, obviously, he’s going to weigh his options, but very disappointing for everyone.”
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