Lars Nootbaar
OF STL
Thu 4/11/24 2:15 PM

Nootbaar (ribs) was activated from the 10-day injured list by the Cardinals on Thursday, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
EDGE Analysis
Nootbaar will make his season debut this weekend in Arizona after missing the first two weeks of the season with two non-displaced fractures in his left ribcage. He slashed just .190/.320/.238 in six rehab games but feels ready to help out the major-league club. The 26-year-old Nootbaar is expected to serve as the Cardinals' everyday left fielder.

Lars Nootbaar
OF STL
Thu 4/11/24 9:30 AM

Nootbaar (ribs) will be activated from the 10-day injured list to make his season debut Friday in Arizona, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
EDGE Analysis
Nootbaar had what was going to be his final rehab game with Double-A Springfield rained out Wednesday, but it won't change the plans to activate the outfielder this weekend. The 26-year-old got a late start to the season after suffering two fractured ribs during a spring training game. Nootbaar is poised to take over in left field for the Cardinals, which will result in Brendan Donovan being used more at second base and/or designated hitter. Alec Burleson's playing time will likely be the most negatively affected upon Nootbaar's return.

Lars Nootbaar
OF STL
Wed 4/10/24 11:57 AM

Nootbaar (ribs) could be activated from the injured list Friday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
EDGE Analysis
Nootbaar will play in what might be his final rehab game with Double-A Springfield on Wednesday. The Cardinals have an off day Thursday and Nootbaar could join them for the beginning of their road trip this weekend in Arizona. Nootbaar has been out all season with two non-displaced fractures in his left ribcage. He had been slated for everyday duties in left field before getting hurt, but it's possible the Cards will consider using him in center field if they opt to send Victor Scott down.

Lars Nootbaar
OF STL
Mon 4/8/24 5:24 PM

Nootbaar (ribs) will not be activated from the injured list Monday and will instead resume a rehab assignment with Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Nootbaar was back in St. Louis Monday to be evaluated and the Cardinals had left open the possibility that he could be activated. However, Nootbaar is just 3-for-17 so far in five games and the decision was made for him to sharpen his timing before returning. It seems likely that he'll be back this weekend in Arizona if all goes well, although that hasn't been confirmed. Nootbaar is coming back from two non-displaced fractures in his left ribcage.

Lars Nootbaar
OF STL
Sat 4/6/24 12:11 PM

Nootbaar (ribs) will play two more rehab games at Triple-A Memphis before being re-evaluated Monday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Nootbaar has gone 1-for-11 with an RBI and a run scored through his first three rehab games and is now set for at least two more games. Manager Oliver Marmol said the 26-year-old outfielder's return to St. Louis is more dependent on him getting enough reps at Triple-A than it is the rib injury he suffered during spring training, so there's a chance the Cardinals activate Nootbaar from the IL to make his regular-season debut as soon as Monday against Philadelphia.

Lars Nootbaar
OF STL
Sat 3/30/24 7:08 PM

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Saturday that Nootbaar (ribs) will likely begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Nootbaar got in four more at-bats and playing five innings in another simulated game at the team's spring training complex Saturday and came out of it with no issues. He is in line to play for Memphis on Tuesday and Wednesday before being evaluated for potential activation from the injured list when first eligible Thursday. Nootbaar -- who is working his way back from two non-displaced fractures in his left ribcage -- will be St. Louis' regular left fielder when he returns.

Lars Nootbaar
OF STL
Fri 3/29/24 7:25 PM

Nootbaar (ribs) will play four innings in the field and at the plate in a simulated game Saturday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Nootbaar took eight at-bats in a simulated game Friday, and Cardinals manager Oli Marmol noted that the team felt encouraged that the outfielder felt no pain on his swings. Nootbaar will ramp up his activity both at the plate and in the field Saturday, and his performance in that simulated game will give St. Louis a better indication of when he can return to major-league action.

Lars Nootbaar
OF STL
Fri 3/29/24 10:14 AM

Nootbaar (ribs) is expected to hit against Sonny Gray (hamstring) in a simulated game Friday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
EDGE Analysis
Nootbaar began light hitting this past weekend and has now progressed to facing game-speed pitching. It's not clear whether he will be asked to play any rehab games before being activated, but Nootbaar would seem to have a good chance to return when first eligible April 4. The outfielder is coming back from two non-displaced fractures in his left ribcage.

Lars Nootbaar
OF STL
Tue 3/26/24 7:03 PM

The Cardinals placed Nootbaar on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with fractured ribs, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.
EDGE Analysis
Nootbaar has been held out since early March after fracturing two fractures in the left side of his ribcage. He resumed taking swings against soft-toss pitching Monday, and the Cardinals are optimistic that the 26-year-old won't need to spend much longer than the 10-day minimum on the IL.

Lars Nootbaar
OF STL
Mon 3/25/24 3:57 PM

Nootbaar (ribs) took soft-toss swings Sunday and Monday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol saw video of Nootbaar's workouts and said the outfielder "looked really good" and "his body is responding well." Nootbaar will begin the season on the injured list with two non-displaced fractures in his left ribcage, but the hope remains that he won't be out long. He will be eligible for activation for the team's home opener on April 4.