The St. Louis Cardinals received encouraging news regarding outfielder Lars Nootbaar as he moves closer to returning to the major league lineup. According to Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, Nootbaar is set to begin a rehab assignment this weekend, marking another important milestone in his recovery process.
The Cardinals are reportedly taking a cautious and structured approach with Nootbaar’s comeback. Team officials want to essentially recreate a spring training-style buildup for the veteran outfielder to ensure he is fully prepared before returning to major league action. Because of that plan, Nootbaar is expected to begin his rehab assignment with Low-A Palm Beach, which plays at Roger Dean Stadium — the same complex used for the Cardinals’ spring training operations.
After getting comfortable at the Low-A level, Nootbaar is expected to gradually move through higher minor league affiliates as the organization evaluates his health, conditioning, and timing at the plate. The ultimate goal is to have him fully ready to step back into an everyday role once he rejoins St. Louis.
Nootbaar’s recovery comes after undergoing double heel surgery during the offseason. The procedure was intended to correct lingering issues that had reportedly bothered him for years. According to previous reports, those heel problems may have contributed not only to other injuries but also to a decline in his overall performance on the field.
Before his struggles in 2025, Nootbaar had established himself as one of the more productive hitters in the Cardinals lineup. Between 2022 and 2024, he posted a strong .244 batting average along with a .351 on-base percentage and .426 slugging percentage. Across 1,255 plate appearances during that stretch, he produced a .777 OPS and an impressive 118 wRC+, numbers that reflected his value as an above-average offensive player.
Although Nootbaar managed to play a career-high number of games during the 2025 season, his production dropped noticeably. He finished with a career-low 96 wRC+, a disappointing mark compared to the standards he had previously established. The Cardinals are hopeful that the offseason surgeries will help restore both his health and offensive consistency moving forward.
If Nootbaar returns to the form he showed prior to 2025, his impact on the lineup could be significant. His previous 118 wRC+ would rank among the top offensive marks on the current Cardinals roster. Despite frustration from some fans regarding his injury history and recent struggles, there is still strong belief within the organization that a healthy Nootbaar remains one of the team’s most complete players.
The addition of Nootbaar’s bat could also provide valuable lineup flexibility for manager Oliver Marmol. A fully healthy Nootbaar could slide naturally into the fifth spot in the batting order, strengthening the middle of the lineup while also allowing other hitters to settle into more favorable positions.
That shift could potentially move Nolan Gorman lower in the order while giving younger players like Victor Scott II or Nathan Church opportunities to focus on defense and speed lower in the lineup.
St. Louis has already fielded a productive offense this season, and adding another proven hitter like Nootbaar could make the lineup even deeper and more dangerous. His ability to get on base, hit for power, and provide defensive versatility would give the Cardinals another important boost as they continue pushing through the season.
While there is optimism surrounding his progress, the exact timeline for Nootbaar’s return remains uncertain. The earliest possible activation date tied to his 60-day injured list designation falls on May 24. However, with his rehab assignment only beginning this weekend, there is growing belief that his return may ultimately be delayed by another week or two as the Cardinals prioritize a careful recovery process.
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