Lars Nootbaar's Stats, Metrics, Game Logs, Projections & Rankings

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar (ribs) will not come off the injured list on Monday and will return to Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday to get in more at-bats in the minors. Nootbaar took batting practice on Monday at Busch Stadium and is trying to regain his timing at the plate after being out since early March with rib fractures. The 26-year-old left-handed swinger has gone 3-for-17 in five minor-league contests as he ramps up and would like some more at-bats before he makes his big-league debut for the Cardinals. Once he's activated from the injured list, rookie Victor Scott II could be sent back to the farm after going 3-for-36 (.083) with a stolen base, two walks and 11 strikeouts in his first 39 major-league plate appearances.

St. Louis Cardinals outfielderLars Nootbaar(ribs) will play two rehab games for Triple-A Memphis before being re-evaluated on Monday. He will return to St. Louis on Monday and could be activated from the injured list ahead of the team's home series against the Philadelphia Phillies. Nootbaar is progressing well in his rehab as he continues to work his way back from two non-displaced fractures in his left ribcage. Look for Nootbaar to put up serviceable numbers once he returns from the injured list. The 26-year-old slashed .261/.367/.418 with 14 home runs, 46 RBI, 74 runs, and 11 stolen bases over 503 plate appearances in 2023.

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar (ribs) will begin a minor-league rehab assignment on Tuesday. The left-handed outfielder will draw the start in center field for Tuesday's game with Triple-A Memphis. The 26-year-old is working his way back from two fractures in his ribcage that has sidelined him since early March. The expectation is that Nootbaar is going to need at least a handful of games before returning to the Cardinals lineup. It's uncertain who will get sent down in a corresponding move, but it'll likely be youngster Victor Scott.

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar (ribs) will likely begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday. He had four at-bats and got five innings of work in a simulated game in Florida. The 26-year-old is eligible to come off the injured list on Thursday. He had two non-displaced fractures in his left ribcage in spring training and has been sidelined since early March. He slashed .261/.367/.418 with 14 home runs, 46 RBI, 74 runs, and 11 stolen bases over 503 plate appearances in 2023. Barring any setbacks, Nootbaar is trending in the right direction and could be activated from the injured list next week. Nootbaar is expected to be the team's everyday left fielder when he returns, and fantasy managers searching for outfield help can look to add him in all league formats.

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar (ribs) is expected to hit against right-hander Sonny Gray (hamstring) in a simulated game on Friday. Nootbaar was forced to open the regular season on the injured list due to two non-displaced fractured in his left rib cage, but he's advancing to facing live pitching and could return to the team as early as April 4 as long as he doesn't suffer any setbacks. The Cardinals could use him back, too, with Tommy Edman (wrist) and Dylan Carlson (shoulder) also opening the year on the IL. Thumb, back and abdominal issues sent the 26-year-old to the IL three separate times last year, too, but he still managed to match his career-high with 14 home runs while also stealing a career-high 11 bases in 117 games. If Nootbaar can ever put injuries behind him, he'll be an intriguing everyday power/speed guy for the Cards.