After months of cautious rehabilitation from offseason surgery on both heels, Lars Nootbaar is scheduled to rejoin the St. Louis Cardinals on May 24 — the first day he is eligible to be activated from the 60-day injured list. For a club that has exceeded expectations early in the 2026 season, the return of the 28-year-old outfielder represents more than roster reinforcement. It offers a proven, left-handed bat and a stabilizing veteran presence in an outfield.
Nootbaar underwent surgery last October to address Haglund’s deformities — painful bone spurs on the back of both heels that had been irritating his Achilles tendons and limiting him for several seasons. The procedure was intended to provide long-term relief, but the recovery proved more deliberate than initially hoped. He did not appear in a single spring training game, began a running progression only in mid-March, and never ramped up to full baseball activities in time for Opening Day. The Cardinals opted for the 60-day IL placement on March 25 to preserve roster flexibility while giving Nootbaar the necessary time to rebuild strength and confidence in his lower half.
Nootbaar is close to participating in extended spring training games, where he is expected to knock off some rust before moving to a formal minor-league rehab assignment — a standard step that will allow him to test his legs in game situations before rejoining the major-league club.
In Nootbaar’s absence, the Cardinals’ outfield has been a tale of contrasts. Right fielder Jordan Walker has emerged as an early-season star, slashing .278/.349/.548 with nine home runs and 22 RBIs through the first month of the season. His power and arm have been anchors. Center fielder Victor Scott II has delivered elite defense and speed but has struggled mightily at the plate (.200/.254/.215 with no home runs). Left field, meanwhile, has been an offensive black hole. While he has been sidelined, the Cardinals have utilized a mix of Nathan Church, Thomas Saggese, and Jose Fermin in left field, with Church posting modest numbers around .236/.295/.364 with a pair of homers as the primary option and the utility pieces filling in without seizing the job. The collective production from the corners has lagged, making Nootbaar’s impending arrival a timely upgrade.
When Nootbaar returns, the alignment should come into clearer focus. Manager Oli Marmol is expected to install him as the everyday left fielder, a role that fits his skill set perfectly. The switch-hitter-turned-lefty specialist brings a career .242/.341/.406 slash line with 58 home runs and solid on-base skills across 527 games. His 2025 season — .234/.325/.361 with 13 homers and 48 RBIs in 135 games — underscored his value as a reliable table-setter and occasional power threat. Defensively, he has the versatility to handle all three outfield spots, though left field has been his primary home in recent years.
The ripple effects on the lineup could be significant. Nootbaar’s return will likely push one of the current left-field options to the bench or a utility role, or put Church into a platoon role with Scott II, etc.
There remains a measure of caution. Heel surgeries can be tricky, and Nootbaar has not yet faced live pitching in a game setting. Yet the Cardinals’ decision to target his exact eligibility date signals confidence in his progress and a belief that the risk of re-injury is now minimal.
Will be interesting to see what a fully healthy Noot can do on the field and in the lineup as the foot problems are something he played through for a couple of seasons.
