Dodgers outfielder Kevin Pillar has fractured his left shoulder, according to a club announcement. He’s been placed on the 10-day injured list, with utilityman Zach McKinstry recalled from Triple-A Oklahoma City to take his active roster spot.
Manager Dave Roberts told reporters that Pillar is weighing his treatment options, with surgery a possibility, via Jack Harris of the Los Angeles Times. In any event, he’s likely to be out for a significant portion of time given the seriousness of the diagnosis. The team has yet to provide a timetable on his return, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if the veteran outfielder is facing a months-long absence.
Pillar just made it onto the big league roster over the weekend. The 33-year-old signed a minor league deal with the club in spring training and locked in a prorated portion of a $2.5M salary when he got to the majors. He appeared in only four games before suffering the fracture Wednesday against the Pirates.
Prior to his call-up, the righty-hitting Pillar had absolutely mashed with Oklahoma City. Through 153 plate appearances in Triple-A, he’d been hitting .315/.412/.622 with nine home runs. His 13.1% walk rate was excellent, topping a minuscule 11.1% strikeout percentage. Pillar had a June 1 opt-out right under the terms of the new collective bargaining agreement, but the Dodgers elected to bring him to the majors rather than let him retest free agency. Unfortunately, he’ll be out of action just a few games into his MLB tenure with the organization. Pillar will hit free agency at the end of the season.
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