The St. Louis Cardinals are set to welcome back one of their most important offensive pieces on Friday, as outfielder Lars Nootbaar is slated to be activated from the 60-day injured list prior to the start of their three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds at Busch Stadium.
Manager Oli Marmol confirmed the move Wednesday, bringing an end to Nootbaar’s prolonged absence that has spanned the first two-plus months of the 2026 season. The 28-year-old underwent surgery last October to address bilateral Haglund’s deformity, a procedure that involved shaving down bones on both heels. He has been sidelined since, missing all of spring training and the early portion of the regular season.
Nootbaar has been progressing well through a minor league rehabilitation assignment, appearing in 12 games across three levels (Single-A Palm Beach, Double-A Springfield, and Triple-A Memphis). He finished the assignment slashing .257/.409/.543 with three home runs, eight RBI, nine walks, and a strong .952 OPS. He notably crushed a 435-foot homer in one of his final games with Memphis on Wednesday.
The Cardinals have taken a measured approach with his return, prioritizing his long-term health after the nagging heel issues appeared to impact his production in 2025.
The activation will require a corresponding move on the active roster, though the club already has flexibility on the 40-man roster. On Wednesday, the Cardinals returned right-handed pitcher Matt Pushard — whom they selected in the Rule 5 draft from the Miami Marlins — to his original organization. Miami accepted the player back for the $50,000 fee, clearing the necessary space.
Nootbaar, a key member of the Cardinals’ outfield and one of the longest-tenured players in the organization, brings a valuable blend of on-base skills, power, and defensive versatility. His return should provide a significant boost to a Cardinals lineup that has been searching for consistency in the early going. Prior to the injury, he had established himself as a reliable contributor capable of batting in multiple spots in the order.
The timing of Nootbaar’s activation could not come at a better moment for St. Louis as they open a homestand against a Reds club that has been competitive in the NL Central race. His presence in the outfield and lineup is expected to allow the Cardinals greater flexibility in constructing their daily lineups, potentially shifting some of the recent workload off other players who have been filling in during his absence.
For Nootbaar, Friday marks the beginning of what the organization hopes will be a healthy and productive return to action. After dealing with injuries that limited his effectiveness last season, the Cardinals are optimistic that a fully recovered Nootbaar can help anchor the club through the heart of the 2026 schedule.
