GLENDALE, Ariz. — Mike Moustakas and Kevin Pillar were among the experienced position players vying for spots on the Chicago White Sox opening-day roster.
The Sox decided to go in a different direction Friday, releasing the two veterans. Both players were in camp as nonroster invitees after signing minor-league deals.
Pillar was in the running for the opening in right field. He hit .250 with six doubles and five RBIs in 18 Cactus League games. He made 14 starts in right, the most of anyone on the team.
Pillar has a career .257/.294/.409 slash line with 106 home runs and 423 RBIs in 1,114 games during 11 seasons with the Toronto Blue Jays (2013-19), San Francisco Giants (2019), Boston Red Sox (2020), Colorado Rockies (2020), New York Mets (2021), Los Angeles Dodgers (2022) and Atlanta Braves (2023).
Dominic Fletcher, Rafael Ortega, Brett Phillips and Mark Payton are among the outfielders remaining in camp for consideration in right field and a reserve spot.
Earlier on Friday, the Sox signed outfielder Robbie Grossman to a minor-league deal with an invite to major-league camp.
Moustakas, looking to be an option off the bench at first and third base, had a .195 average with one home run and two RBIs in 19 games this spring. The 35-year-old has a career .247/.307/.431 slash line with 215 home runs and 683 RBIs during 1,427 games in 13 major-league seasons with the Royals (2011-18), Milwaukee Brewers (2018-19), Cincinnati Reds (2020-22), Colorado Rockies (2023) and Los Angeles Angels (2023).
Gavin Sheets remains as a left-handed option who can play first base and right field. As far as infield depth, the Sox have Braden Shewmake, Zach Remillard and Danny Mendick among the options.
With the moves, the Sox have 43 players remaining in camp: 24 pitchers, three catchers, seven infielders and nine outfielders.
