HOUSTON — In most years, Kevin Pillar might not play in these season-closing games. The Angels (62-92) have long been eliminated from postseason contention, and the 35-year-old sprained his left thumb Sept. 7. It’s normally a time when younger players play out the string. Yet, this isn’t a normal season for Pillar. The 12-year MLB veteran has said this could be his final season, and the Angels have injuries piling up among prospects. That includes center fielder Jordyn Adams, who was scratched with knee soreness just before Friday’s first pitch. That forced Pillar back into action as a starter. Earlier in the day, the Angels activated Pillar with plans of using him off the bench – but he pivoted to a larger role and thrived, blasting a home run in Friday’s close loss and making a sliding catch to end an inning. Earlier, Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman made a leaping catch to rob Pillar of what looked like a line-drive double. “I don’t have the luxury of time,” Pillar said. “With what we went through the last few days (including a nagging hand bruise for outfielder Mickey Moniak) and having a thin bench, I just felt it was the right decision. I’ve played with worse. I’ve played at less than 100%, and I just felt it was important for me to get back on the field as soon as possible, and be available.” Pillar, whose contract expires after 2024, said his uncertain personal future was “100%” a factor. “If I knew there was a guarantee of what’s coming down the pipeline for next year, it would benefit me to make sure I was 100% healthy … to go out there,” Pillar said. “But I don’t have that guarantee. I don’t know what the future holds. I’ve always had the mindset that if I’m anywhere [close to] capable of doing it, I’d rather go out there, play, and fail … than not play at all.” Before playing in Houston, Pillar hit off a high-velocity pitching machine and went through fielding drills. With his thumb still wrapped, he said fielding remains most challenging. “It’s more the squeezing of my glove,” Pillar said. “The part of my thumb that I hurt was affecting me when I close my glove, and with the impact of the ball. Hitting was OK, I could do that sooner. But yesterday was the first time I felt confident enough to go out and play defense.” Pillar said he hadn’t previously injured his thumb, and that made for a frustrating recovery. Yet, to support his teammates and perhaps to enjoy one last opportunity, he worked his way back. “After about the second day, and once we got some of the swelling out, it wasn’t painful,” Pillar said. “It was just about having function, and getting range of motion and strength back. And then having the confidence to absorb a ball hit off a bat and make a play. For someone who hasn’t injured a thumb before, it’s amazing how much you use it and for how much in this sport.” Entering Saturday, Pillar is hitting .242 with a .702 OPS, and he remains an impactful defender and valued clubhouse leader. That could perhaps give him another opportunity in 2025, if he wants it. But with his future uncertain, he’s making the most of the present. “That’s Kevin,” Angels manager Ron Washington said of Pillar’s return. “That’s why he’s a pro. He goes out there and he leaves everything he has on the field.” “For us, it’s good to get more experience in that lineup,” Washington added. “Maybe we can turn things around going to the finish line.” "That's why he's a pro" – Wash on Kevin Pillar's return from the IL@Angels | #RepTheHalo | #AngelsLive pic.twitter.com/RVNZMxz6bW — Bally Sports West (@BallySportWest) September 21, 2024 NOTES Mickey Moniak started in center field for the first time since being hit by a pitch and bruising his left hand last Sunday. … First baseman Nolan Schanuel entered Saturday with a career-high hitting streak of 11 games. He’s 15 of 41 at the plate (.366) with two extra-base hits and seven RBIs during that run. That 11-game streak is the third-longest active streak in the majors and the third-longest streak by an Angels player this season. Pillar and Taylor Ward each had 14-game streaks. … Related Articles Los Angeles Angels | Angels’ Tyler Anderson has a night to forget in Houston Los Angeles Angels | Angels’ Taylor Ward credits September turnaround to improved mechanics Los Angeles Angels | Jose Suarez extends surge, but Angels’ bats remain cold in loss to Astros Los Angeles Angels | Angels embrace experience of September baseball against a contender Los Angeles Angels | The Audible: Shohei Ohtani’s MVP chances, Mike Trout’s future, and so long, Woj Adams was out of the starting lineup for a second consecutive game due to right knee soreness. Washington said it was a flareup of a nagging injury that Adams had suffered earlier this season while in the minors. UP NEXT Angels (RHP Griffin Canning, 6-13, 5.16 ERA) at Astros (RHP Spencer Arrighetti, 7-13, 4.68 ERA), 11:10 a.m. Sunday, Bally Sports West, 830 AM