The St. Louis Cardinals continue to receive encouraging news regarding outfielder Lars Nootbaar as he progresses through his recovery process following offseason heel surgery. Ahead of Monday’s matchup against the Milwaukee Brewers, the organization made another important decision concerning Nootbaar’s rehab assignment as he works toward returning to the major league roster.
According to Cardinals insider Derrick Goold, the team plans to move Nootbaar’s rehab assignment to Double-A Springfield within the next few days. The move represents another step in the outfielder’s gradual return from the injuries that forced him to undergo surgery on both heels during the offseason. While his recovery has not followed a perfectly smooth path, the Cardinals remain optimistic about his progress and are carefully monitoring his workload before activating him back to the big league club.
Goold shared the update on social media, noting that Nootbaar’s recovery has been “non-linear,” meaning the process has included ups and downs along the way. Still, the Cardinals appear pleased with the direction things are heading, especially with the possibility of having him closer to St. Louis geographically as the team prepares to return home after its current road trip.
Nootbaar may not always receive the same national attention as some of baseball’s biggest stars, but he has proven to be a valuable contributor for the Cardinals over the past few seasons. Known for his energy, defensive versatility, and ability to provide timely offense, the 28-year-old has become an important piece of the club’s lineup and clubhouse culture.
During the 2025 campaign, Nootbaar appeared in 135 games and delivered respectable production at the plate. He finished the season batting .234 while posting a .686 OPS and hitting 13 home runs. Although those numbers were not among the league’s elite, his overall impact extended beyond statistics, as he consistently provided depth and reliability for the Cardinals in both the outfield and batting order.
Despite missing Nootbaar for a portion of the current season, the Cardinals have managed to remain competitive in the National League Central race. Entering Monday’s contest against Milwaukee, St. Louis holds a 29-22 overall record and sits in second place in the division standings. The Cardinals trail the first-place Brewers by just 1.5 games, keeping the pressure on their division rivals as the season continues.
The upcoming three-game series against Milwaukee could play a significant role in shaping the NL Central standings moving forward. Rivalry matchups between the Cardinals and Brewers are often intense and closely contested, and this week’s series is expected to be no different. St. Louis hopes to continue its strong play while inching closer to first place before potentially welcoming Nootbaar back to the lineup in the near future.
For now, the Cardinals remain patient with the rehab process, prioritizing Nootbaar’s long-term health over rushing him back too quickly. If his recovery continues progressing positively at Double-A Springfield, a major league return may not be far away. Monday afternoon’s series opener against Milwaukee is scheduled for 2:10 p.m. EST as the Cardinals attempt to gain ground in the division race.
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