In a surprising move, the Chicago White Sox have brought back outfielder Kevin Pillar just days after his release from the team, as reported by Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun Times. The White Sox have formally announced a major league contract with Pillar, adding him to their roster. To make room for Pillar, right-hander Touki Toussaint has been designated for assignment.

Pillar, a seasoned player with 11 MLB seasons under his belt, spent the 2023 season with the Atlanta Braves. However, he struggled at the plate, recording a slash line of .228/.248/.416 in 81 games as a reserve outfielder and pinch hitter.

Known for his superb defense in center field, Pillar's defensive abilities have seen a decline in recent years, leading to a shift towards corner outfield positions. Nevertheless, his career numbers against left-handed pitching of .278/.308/.461 make him a valuable right-handed complement to the lefty-hitting pair of Andrew Benintendi and Dominic Fletcher in Chicago.

The return of Pillar to the White Sox organization comes at the expense of Toussaint, who was acquired from the Guardians in June last year. Toussaint made 19 appearances for the White Sox, with 15 of them being starts. During that time, he recorded a 4.97 ERA with a 4.95 FIP in 83 1/3 innings. Although he displayed a decent strikeout rate of 22.7%, his concerning 14.2% walk rate raised doubts about his effectiveness.

Despite average results and concerning performance indicators, the White Sox decided to retain Toussaint during the offseason. However, a disastrous Spring Training performance changed their perspective. Toussaint struggled on the mound, posting a 17.47 ERA in just 5 2/3 innings. He walked a staggering 11 batters and only managed to strike out two.

With the move to designate Toussaint for assignment, the White Sox now have a one-week window to decide whether to trade, release, or pass him through waivers.

As the Opening Day roster takes shape, the White Sox have also made another significant decision. Right-hander Jordan Leasure is set to join the club's bullpen and make the Opening Day roster, as reported by Van Schouwen. However, Leasure is not yet on the 40-man roster, which means the team will have to select his contract before the start of the season.

The White Sox's reunion with Pillar signifies their belief in his abilities to contribute as a right-handed hitter and adds depth to their outfield. With the ongoing maneuvers and roster changes, the team is keen to make a strong start to their 2024 campaign.