Lars Nootbaar
OF STL
Mon 6/24/24 9:59 AM

Nootbaar (oblique) is tracking toward beginning a rehab assignment soon, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
EDGE Analysis
Nootbaar has been shelved since late May with a left oblique strain but appears close to being ready to play in games. The outfielder shouldn't need too many rehab games in the minors since he's been on the injured list for just over three weeks. A return before the All-Star break is likely.

Lars Nootbaar
OF STL
Thu 6/13/24 1:25 PM

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Thursday that Nootbaar (oblique) continues to take part in "rotational work" and could resume swinging a bat this weekend, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
The Cardinals will presumably ease Nootbaar into swinging by having him hit off a tee or hit soft-toss throws before he eventually gains clearance to hit against higher-velocity pitching. In addition to being able to hit without discomfort, Nootbaar, who has been on the injured list since May 31 with a left oblique strain, will also need to prove that the injury doesn't compromise him when he runs the bases or plays the outfield. He still appears to be at least a couple weeks away from being a realistic option to rejoin the Cardinals, and Nootbaar will presumably need to go out on a minor-league rehab assignment prior to being activated.

Lars Nootbaar
OF STL
Fri 5/31/24 4:29 PM

Manager Oli Marmol said Friday that Nootbar (oblique) is expected to miss several weeks, John Denton of MLB.com
EDGE Analysis
On top of what seems to be a multi-week absence, Nootbar will need at least a week-long rehab assignment in the minors, meaning the 26-year-old may miss the entirety of June. While he's sidelined, Alec Burleson should serve as St. Louis' everyday right fielder, while Matt Carpenter should see the brunt of the DH work.

Lars Nootbaar
OF STL
Fri 5/31/24 12:10 PM

The Cardinals placed Nootbaar on the 10-day injured list Friday, retroactive to May 30, with a left oblique strain.
EDGE Analysis
Nootbaar suffered the injury on a check swing during Wednesday's win over the Reds. It's the outfielder's second stint on the IL this season, as he previously missed time with two fractured ribs. The timing is poor, as Nootbaar was slashing .313/.418/.552 with four home runs over his last 79 plate appearances. With Nootbaar out, Alec Burleson will play more in the outfield and Matt Carpenter will see time at designated hitter.

Lars Nootbaar
OF STL
Wed 5/29/24 3:53 PM

Nootbaar was removed in the bottom of the eighth inning of Wednesday's game against the Reds with an apparent left side injury, John Denton of MLB.com reports. He went 2-for-4 with a pair of base hits before being lifted from the game.
EDGE Analysis
Nootbaar grimaced on a check swing during a plate appearance in the seventh inning. He initially remained in the game after reaching on an infield single before eventually being pulled prior to the bottom of the eighth inning. The Cardinals could have more information on Nootbaar's condition after the game.

Lars Nootbaar
OF STL
Tue 5/28/24 2:45 PM

Nootbaar (hamstring) will start in right field and bat second in Tuesday's game in Cincinnati.
EDGE Analysis
Nootbaar missed two starts after tweaking his hamstring in Saturday's game against the Cubs, but he worked out prior to Monday's contest and is ready to roll Tuesday. The 26-year-old has a 1.096 OPS with two homers over his last eight games.

Lars Nootbaar
OF STL
Tue 5/28/24 1:46 PM

Nootbaar (hamstring) hit in the batting cage and did some light running prior to Monday's game against the Reds, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Nootbaar tweaked his hamstring while legging out a triple in Saturday's game against the Cubs and has since sat out the last two games. The outfielder told Denton that he should be ready to return to the lineup whenever the Cardinals give him the green light. The Cardinals are slated to face a left-hander starter Tuesday and have an off day Thursday, factors which could weigh into their decision as to when to reinsert Nootbaar into the lineup.

Lars Nootbaar
OF STL
Mon 5/27/24 2:34 PM

Nootbaar (hamstring) remains out of the lineup for Monday's game in Cincinnati.
EDGE Analysis
Nootbaar was a late scratch from Sunday's lineup due to a hamstring issue. With tough left-hander Nick Lodolo on the mound for the Reds on Monday, it makes sense to hold Nootbaar out again. Cincinnati does another another southpaw scheduled to start Tuesday in Andrew Abbott, so it's possible Nootbaar could remain out until Wednesday. For what it's worth, Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Monday of Nootbaar's injury that "we don't see it lingering," per John Denton of MLB.com. Dylan Carlson will be in right field Monday.

Lars Nootbaar
OF STL
Sun 5/26/24 6:16 PM

Nootbaar was scratched from Sunday's lineup against the Cubs due to a minor hamstring issue, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
EDGE Analysis
Manager Oliver Marmol said Nootbaar could easily play through the hamstring issue, which popped up Saturday, but they will play it safe. Matt Carpenter was added to the lineup at designated hitter, batting fifth.

Lars Nootbaar
OF STL
Sat 5/25/24 11:08 PM

Nootbaar went 3-for-5 with a triple, one RBI, a stolen base and one run scored in Saturday's 7-6 win over the Cubs.
EDGE Analysis
Nootbaar had gone 1-for-8 during the Cardinals' three-game series versus the Orioles earlier in the week. He broke out of the short slump with a strong Saturday that included an RBI triple, which gave St. Louis a big enough lead for the win. The outfielder doesn't offer a ton of speed -- the triple was his first of the year to go with three steals. He's added a .227/.338/.409 slash line with five home runs, 19 RBI and 14 runs scored over 155 plate appearances.