Kevin Pillar signs major-league deal with White Sox

GLENDALE, Ariz. — Two days after he was released by the White Sox, outfielder Kevin Pillar signed a new deal to return to the club.

It was a new experience in the business of baseball for Pillar, who is about 100 days shy of reaching the coveted 10-year service-time mark.

Pillar, who will make the team as a fourth outfielder but could start in right field on Opening Day against Tigers left-hander Tarik Skubal, had signed a minor-league contract in the offseason. He stood to make $3 million if he made the team under that deal.

On Friday, general manager Chris Getz, a former teammate, cut him loose, knowing he could come back on a somewhat-lesser deal.

“We weren’t ready to commit to him being on this team,” said Getz, who signed switch-hitting veteran outfielder Robbie Grossman to a minor-league deal Friday.

“So I encouraged him to see what else is out there and left the door open to come back but also let him know that we’ve got a lot of things up in the air. Couldn’t guarantee anything, and obviously a couple of days passed, and we worked something out.”

Pillar, who batted .234 in 47 at-bats this spring, was 0-for-3 in the Sox’ Cactus League finale Sunday, lining out sharply to the outfield twice.

He came close to getting emotional when talking about the last two days before the game.

“You feel like you’ve experienced everything that can be thrown at you in this game,” he said. “And I was wrong. It was a bit shocking, given what I thought my role was going to be on this team coming into camp. Kind of helping create a little bit of a different environment inside those clubhouse walls. Felt like I was having a pretty good spring, and then got the call and just the uncertainty of the future was the toughest part.”

Pillar, 35, was the Braves’ fourth outfielder last season, his 11th in the majors. The Sox are his eighth team in six years, and he has never played on a multiyear contract.

“I’m back, I’m excited to be here,” he said. “There’s no animosity, no hard feelings. Business is business.”

Right-hander Touki Toussaint was designated for assignment to make room for Pillar on the 40-man roster.

Stassi could open season on IL

Catcher Max Stassi, 33, who did not play last season, is dealing with general soreness and might open the season on the injured list, opening the door for Korey Lee.

Shewmake makes team

Braden Shewmake will make the Opening Day roster, beating out Danny Mendick and Zach Remillard, a source said. The utility infielder tested his sprained ankle a second consecutive day, playing third base, shortstop and first base and making good plays at both corner spots.

Shewmake was part of the six-player trade with the Braves for Aaron Bummer.

A spot for Leasure

Reliever Jordan Leasure has made the Opening Day roster, a source told the Sun-Times. Leasure came to the Sox in a trade with the Dodgers that also brought righty prospect Nick Nastrini, who could make the rotation but might not get called up till needed on April 3, allowing the Sox to open the season with nine relievers.

Rockies 7, Sox 3

The White Sox finished with a Cactus League-worst 9-20-3 record despite a strong five-inning outing Sunday from No. 3 starter Erick Fedde, who survived a line drive off his right quad. Fedde was especially pleased with his pitch sequencing and changeup. “It’s a results-driven business,” he said after being away from the majors while starring in South Korea. “Nobody cares about your story once you step out there; it’s what you do now.”

• Relievers Jordan Leasure (two runs, four hits, two strikeouts), John Brebbia (two walks, three-run homer) and Deivi Garcia (two hits, including a home run) were not sharp in their final-game tune-ups.

• Dominic Fletcher was 0-for-2, including a disputed called third strike, but has firmed his grip on right field after a slow start offensively in camp. “He was pressing early on,” GM Chris Getz said. “But he stayed at it, and he’s starting to really show what he’s capable of doing. Fletch is a guy that we feel is really going to help our team.”

• On deck: Triple-A Charlotte at Sox, noon Monday, Glendale, six innings, Brad Keller vs. Michael Soroka.