Lars Nootbaar
OF STL
Wed 6/14/23 12:10 PM

Nootbaar (back) will join Triple-A Memphis later this week and will soon begin a rehab assignment, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
The hope is that Nootbaar will get in a few rehab games before rejoining the Cardinals prior to their trip to London to face the Cubs next weekend. Nootbaar has been out all month with a back injury. When Nootbaar does return, he would likely push Tommy Edman -- who has been playing center field -- back to the infield.

Lars Nootbaar
OF STL
Tue 6/13/23 5:02 PM

Nootbaar (back) could soon be ready for a minor-league rehab assignment, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
EDGE Analysis
Nootbaar experienced some renewed discomfort in his back when he tried to hit off a tee late last week, but he's made steady progress in the days since. The 25-year-old outfielder has not been ruled out for the Cardinals' series against the Cubs in London, which will take place June 24-25.

Lars Nootbaar
OF STL
Mon 6/12/23 6:00 PM

Nootbaar (back) took batting practice and did some sprints Monday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Nootbaar had a little setback last week when he felt lingering discomfort in his back while hitting off a tee, but he appears to have made nice progress since then. He's already missed nearly a month of action and is expected to require a rehab assignment before being activated.

Lars Nootbaar
OF STL
Fri 6/9/23 5:10 PM

Nootbaar (back) felt lingering discomfort Thursday while trying to hit off a tee, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
EDGE Analysis
The outfielder is not going to be pushed into the full range of baseball activities until he's pain free, so his injured list stint will last longer than the minimum 10 days. He was eligible to return Friday from a lower-back contusion that has sidelined him since late May. In Nootbaar's absence, Tommy Edman has emerged as the Cardinals' primary center fielder, but the return of Dylan Carlson from the IL gives St. Louis another option.

Lars Nootbaar
OF STL
Fri 6/2/23 2:18 PM

Nootbaar was placed on the 10-day injured list Friday with a lower-back contusion, Matt Pauley of 1120 AM reports.
EDGE Analysis
Nootbaar suffered the injury during Monday's game against the Royals when he crashed into the outfield wall after making a catch. The move is retroactive to May 30, so he'll be eligible for activation June 9, but it's unclear whether he'll be ready to go at that time.

Lars Nootbaar
OF STL
Tue 5/30/23 3:29 PM

Nootbaar (back) is not in the lineup Tuesday versus the Royals.
EDGE Analysis
Nootbaar was pulled from Monday's series opener against the Royals after tweaking his back on a play in center field. St. Louis is off both Wednesday and Thursday, so a decision on a potential IL stint can wait. Tommy Edman will cover center and bat ninth Tuesday.

Lars Nootbaar
OF STL
Mon 5/29/23 3:15 PM

Nootbaar was removed from Monday's game versus the Royals due to lower-back spasms. He went hitless in his lone plate appearance prior to exiting the game.
EDGE Analysis
Nootbaar looked like he might have hurt his back after making a catch and falling into the outfield wall in the second inning. He was removed in the third after pulling up while chasing down a ball in the gap in the third. The Cardinals are calling the outfielder day-to-day. With a game Tuesday and then consecutive off days Wednesday and Thursday, Nootbaar seems likely to be out until at least Friday.

Lars Nootbaar
OF STL
Mon 5/29/23 2:55 PM

Nootbaar was removed from Monday's game against the Royals in the third inning with an undisclosed injury, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. He went 0-for-1 before exiting the contest.
EDGE Analysis
Nootbaar was chasing down a ball in the gap before pulling up close to the warning track and eventually crumpling to the ground. He quickly got back up and tried to walk off whatever injury he was dealing with but ultimately exited the field with the trainer. Presumably, the injury is leg- or back-related but the Cardinals should have more on the outfielder's condition soon.

Lars Nootbaar
OF STL
Sat 5/27/23 2:01 AM

Nootbaar went 3-for-4 with a double, a walk, one RBI and one run scored in Friday's 4-3 loss to the Guardians.
EDGE Analysis
Nootbaar has gone 9-for-20 (.450) with three extra-base hits and six RBI during his five-game hitting streak. The outfielder continues to look good as the Cardinals' primary leadoff hitter, though he's gone 14 games without a stolen base. For the season, he's slashing .285/.399/.417 with four home runs, 21 RBI, 25 runs scored and five steals over 39 contests.

Lars Nootbaar
OF STL
Thu 5/25/23 7:26 AM

Nootbaar went 2-for-5 with a home run and two RBI in Wednesday's 10-3 loss to the Reds.
EDGE Analysis
He launched his fourth homer of the season in the fifth inning, taking Ben Lively deep for a solo shot. Nootbaar has enjoyed a solid May with a .291/.374/.419 slash line, two home runs, three steals, 14 RBI and 15 runs in 22 games, and he's been the one constant this season in an otherwise injury-riddled Cardinals outfield.