This story was excerpted from Mark Bowman's Braves Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

Remember a little more than a month ago, when the Braves traded Nicky Lopez a few hours after I wrote why it made perfect sense to keep him?

With that in mind, I extend my apologies to Kevin Pillar and anybody else who would like to see Pillar back with the Braves this year.

That’s right, I’m going to lay out why it makes sense for the Braves to fill one of their final roster spots by re-signing Pillar.

With the addition of Luis Guillorme last week, the Braves found their primary backup infielder. David Fletcher is still in the picture, but the Braves also have the option of keeping him at the Triple-A level.

For accounting purposes, let’s assume Guillorme is the only one of these infielders on the Opening Day roster. That would leave two available spots for position players on the 26-man roster, which will include 13 pitchers.

Projected position players: C Sean Murphy, C Travis d’Arnaud, 1B Matt Olson, 2B Ozzie Albies, SS Orlando Arcia, 3B Austin Riley, OF Jarred Kelenic, OF Michael Harris II, OF Ronald Acuña Jr., DH Marcell Ozuna, INF Guillorme, OF TBD, INF/OF TBD.

Pillar is a valuable veteran who became a respected figure throughout the Braves’ clubhouse last year. He is capable of providing plus range at each outfield position. He also now has the experience he gained last year while introducing himself to a backup role.

The Braves need a right-handed-hitting outfielder who can play each of the positions and occasionally spell Kelenic in left field. Pillar could log time in left field and occasionally spell Harris in center field. Kelenic’s versatility across the outfield could also create some playing time for Pillar.

As a backup last year, Pillar seemed to be successful with his production and attitude. Of course, as he nears the end of his career, the 35-year-old free agent might seek a team that could provide him more playing time.

Yeah, it makes sense to bring Pillar back. But if this goes like the Lopez experiment, Pillar should have a job with another team shortly after you finish reading this sentence.