The Cardinals introduced that outfielder Lars Nootbaar has been positioned on the 60-day injured checklist. That is presumably to open a 40-man roster spot for prospect JJ Wetherholt, because it was reported just a few days in the past that Wetherholt would make the Opening Day roster.
It’s an unlucky improvement for each Nootbaar and the Cardinals. The outfielder is coming off a down season throughout which he produced a .234/.325/.361 line and 96 wRC+. That was a notable drop-off from his three prior seasons, as he hit a mixed .246/.351/.426 for a 118 wRC+ throughout that span.
In October, he underwent surgical procedure on each heels to shave down Haglund’s deformities, that are basically painful protrusions of bone. In the wake of that process, it was anticipated that Nootbaar may have an opportunity to be prepared for Opening Day. It turned increasingly more obvious that he was going to begin on the IL as spring coaching saved occurring with out him showing in a sport. Now he’s not solely touchdown on the IL however it’s the 60-day model. That permits the Cards to open a 40-man spot however means Nootbaar can’t rejoin the workforce till late May even in a best-case state of affairs.
The Cards are rebuilding, which means their gamers nearing free company have been largely traded within the offseason. Nootbaar is managed by way of 2027, similar to Brendan Donovan was, and certain would have been moved if not for the questions on his well being. Ideally, he would have been again on the sphere in 2026 together with his manufacturing again to his pre-2025 ranges. That would have made him a notable deadline commerce candidate this summer time.
That all may nonetheless occur however the plan goes to be delayed and Nootbaar will subsequently have much less time to showcase his well being earlier than the deadline. For now, the Cards are going to be giving the outfield taking part in time to guys like Jordan Walker, Victor Scott II, Nathan Church, José Fermín and Thomas Saggese.
Photo courtesy of Daniel Kucin Jr., Imagn Images
