Lars Nootbaar, who has missed all season following double heel surgery, is expected to return to the Cardinals by Friday if his final two games with Triple-A Memphis go well on Tuesday and Wednesday.
ST. LOUIS – Improving health to some of the Cardinals rehabilitating players means the team’s roster could look dramatically different by the weekend series against the Reds at Busch Stadium.
Lars Nootbaar, who missed all of Spring Training and the 2 ½ months of the season so far following double heel surgery last October, could be back with the Cardinals as soon as Friday, manager Oliver Marmol confirmed on Tuesday before his team’s game against the Rangers. Nootbaar is scheduled to play nine innings in the outfield on Tuesday and Wednesday with Triple-A Memphis, and if he passes those final tests, he is expected to join the Cardinals on Friday for the start of their home series against the Reds.
“I’d like to see how his body responds, but that’s the last box we’re wanting to check,” Marmol said “I would say (Friday) is a possibility.”
Nathan Church, who was placed on the 10-day Injured List retroactive to May 21 with a left shoulder strain, is expected to begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Memphis on Thursday. He is expected to require at least a week of time with Memphis because of the severity of his injury and his time away from baseball.
Ramon Urias, who went on the 10-day IL on May five with right elbow epicondylitis, is expected to begin his rehab in Memphis at some point over the weekend. The injury, commonly referred to as “tennis elbow” has cost Urias 22 games. He, too, will likely need at least week of games with Memphis before being ready to return to the Cardinals.
Cards have been patient with Nootbaar's return
The Cards have brought Nootbaar, 28, along at a slow pace as he has worked his way bac from having Haglund deformities removed from both heels. After spending weeks in Jupiter, Fla., at the team’s Spring Training complex progressing through various running drills, Nootbaar made his 2026 debut in April and homered in his first at bat. He played two games with Class-A Palm Beach, four games with Class-AA Springfield and four games with Triple-A Memphis before Tuesday night.
Over his first 10 games played in the Minor Leagues, Nootbaar is 7 for 27 (.259) with two homers, a double and four RBI. Also, he has boosted his on base percentage by walking (seven times) more than he has struck out (four times).
Marmol said he has stayed in contact with Nootbaar throughout his recovery and the outfielder and the club are happy with how his feet and body have responded. Marmol said he doesn’t have a sense of just yet how much Nootbaar was slowed by the pain in his feet in the past, but he is hopeful that the Cardinals will get a refreshed player ready to return to the starting lineup. The Cardinals are confident of this: Nootbaar will no longer be playing in pain.
“Simply put, he’s different in a very positive way,” Marmol said. “Not limited or having constraints of having to stop in the middle (of the rehab) because of the pain. So, that’s been very good.”
The imminent return of Nootbaar would result in a Minor League demotion for struggling utility fielder Thomas Saggese or struggling center fielder Victor Scott. The return of Nootbaar could affect the standing of left fielder/DH Nelson Valezquez or the team’s ability to carry three catchers with Jimmy Crooks, Ivan Herrera and Pedro Pages on the roster.
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