Atlanta signed Pilar to a minor-league contract Wednesday, Lindsay Crosby of AthlonSports.com reports. Atlanta selected Pilar in the Rule 5 draft last winter but returned him to Miami in March. The Marlins released Pilar on Tuesday, and Atlanta has brought the right-hander back into the organization. The 27-year-old has been assigned to Triple-A Gwinnett and sports a 4.26 ERA and 10.2 K/9 across 44.1 innings of work this season.
Atlanta returned Pilar to Miami on Wednesday, Jesse Rogers of ESPN.com reports. A Rule 5 selection over the winter, Pilar fanned 12 batters in 5.2 Grapefruit League innings but has also walked six and permitted nine runs. The 27-year-old should open the 2025 season in the Triple-A Jacksonville bullpen, but he'll no longer possess a 40-man roster spot as he rejoins his previous organization.
Pilar could be squeezed out of a bullpen spot with Atlanta, Justin Toscano of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports. Atlanta dealt Angel Perdomo to the Angels on Monday, but that still may not leave a spot open for Pilar. The Rule 5 pick hasn't looked ready for the majors in spring training despite flashing his upside -- while he's struck out 12 batters in 5.2 Grapefruit League innings, he's also issued six walks and given up nine earned runs. If the team elects to keep AJ Smith-Shawver as a sixth starter or long reliever, it could come at Pilar's expense. The 27-year-old right-hander would need to be offered back to the Marlins if he isn't on the 26-man roster.