Lars Nootbaar
OF STL
Wed 4/5/23 12:36 PM

Nootbaar (thumb) might not require a rehab assignment before being activated from the 10-day injured list, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
EDGE Analysis
If Nootbaar avoids a rehab assignment, he could be on track to return from the IL on April 10 when first eligible. The outfielder was deactivated Monday as a result of a bruised thumb he suffered on a slide in the Cardinals' season opener last week.

Lars Nootbaar
OF STL
Mon 4/3/23 7:25 PM

Nootbaar (left thumb contusion) was placed on the 10-day injured list Monday, Bally Sports Midwest reports.
EDGE Analysis
He hasn't played since jamming his thumb on Opening Day. Juan Yepez was recalled from Triple-A in a corresponding move. The soonest Nootbaar could return would be Monday, April 10 in Colorado.

Lars Nootbaar
OF STL
Mon 4/3/23 4:57 PM

Nootbaar (thumb) played catch Sunday, but it's unclear when he might return to the Cardinals' lineup, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
EDGE Analysis
Nootbaar's thumb doesn't bother him while swinging a bat but apparently it's still sore when catching the ball. His return does not appear imminent, and with the Braves slated to start a lefty Tuesday, it could be at least Wednesday before he plays again.

Lars Nootbaar
OF STL
Mon 4/3/23 3:50 PM

Nootbaar (thumb) remains out of the Cardinals lineup for Monday's game against Atlanta, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Nootbaar has now missed three straight starts after jamming his left thumb on a slide back on Opening Day. Alec Burleson will fill in again in left field and the No. 2 spot in St. Louis' lineup. To this point, there's been no talk of Nootbaar possibly needing an injured list stint.

Lars Nootbaar
OF STL
Sun 4/2/23 11:02 AM

Nootbaar (thumb) is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Blue Jays, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
EDGE Analysis
Nootbaar jammed his thumb sliding into third base on Opening Day, and he will miss a second consecutive game while recovering. With the second-year outfielder out, Alec Burleson will again start in left while hitting second for Sunday's series finale against Toronto.

Lars Nootbaar
OF STL
Sat 4/1/23 12:11 PM

Nootbaar's absence from the lineup Saturday against the Blue Jays is due to a jammed thumb, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
EDGE Analysis
Those who bought into the hype surrounding Nootbaar over the winter didn't want to see him on the bench in the second game of the season. An injury isn't exactly a better outcome, but thankfully this one doesn't seem too serious. He suffered the injury when sliding into third base on Opening Day, but imaging came back clear and he was able to swing Friday. He'll get the day off to manage some residual pain but does not appear to be at risk of a trip to the injured list. Alec Burleson starts in left field in his absence.

Lars Nootbaar
OF STL
Sat 4/1/23 10:59 AM

Nootbaar will sit Saturday against the Blue Jays.
EDGE Analysis
Nootbaar received plenty of attention from fantasy drafters over the winter and followed that up by batting second and reaching base three times in the season opener. The Cardinals have a crowded outfield, however, and they'll give Alec Burleson the start in left field in the second game of the season. Exactly how often Nootbaar is in the lineup will go a long way toward determining his fantasy value this season, and it's not a good sign in that respect that he's on the bench already even with a righty (Kevin Gausman) on the mound for the opposition. It may take a week or two to get a clear sense of how often each Cardinal will find themselves in the lineup.

Lars Nootbaar
OF STL
Wed 3/22/23 6:05 PM

Nootbaar is under consideration for the Cardinals' leadoff spot, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Nootbaar and Brendan Donovan appear to be the likeliest candidates to bat leadoff against righties and might fill the 1-2 slots in some order. That would give them plenty of run-scoring opportunities with Paul Goldschmidt, Nolan Arenado and Willson Contreras behind them in the 3-4-5 spots. Tommy Edman is also in the mix at leadoff, although that might only be versus lefties.

Lars Nootbaar
OF STL
Wed 3/15/23 4:33 PM

Nootbaar has gone 6-for-14 across four games for Japan at the World Baseball Classic.
EDGE Analysis
Nootbaar has racked up three RBI, seven runs and two stolen bases while posting a 4:3 BB:K in those contests. The 25-year-old hasn't hurt his chances of landing a starting role in the Cardinals' crowded outfield, though he struggled by going 1-for-5 over two Grapefruit Leagues before his breakout on the international stage. Nootbaar's biggest threat for playing time is top prospect Jordan Walker, who is expected to push for time in right field. Nootbaar can play in all three outfield spots, with Dylan Carlson and Tyler O'Neill also in contention at those positions with the Cardinals.

Lars Nootbaar
OF STL
Sun 10/2/22 11:19 AM

Nootbaar is not in the lineup for Sunday's game against the Pirates.
EDGE Analysis
Nootbaar has been seeing it well of late, posting a 1.141 OPS over his last eight games, but that will not prevent him from opening Sunday's game on the bench. Alec Burleson will join the lineup in Nootbaar's place.