Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar was among the players that St. Louis brass announced underwent surgery earlier this month, as he went under the knife on October 7 to shave down Haglund’s deformities on both heels. At the time, Nootbaar’s timetable for a return to action was unclear, but today president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom revealed to Matt Pauley of KMOX Sports in a radio interview that Opening Day is neither entirely off the table nor entirely guaranteed for Nootbaar following his surgery. Bloom adds that they don’t intend to rush the rehab process in order to get him back on time for the start of the season, but that if he were to miss time to open the season the absence would be limited.
As far as timelines for offseason surgeries go, Nootbaar’s doesn’t seem too worrisome. It would naturally be less than ideal if he were to miss time to open the 2026 campaign but, with the Cardinals headed into a likely rebuilding phase as it is, the handful of games Nootbaar is at risk of missing at the start of the season are unlikely to be the difference in the club’s postseason chances next year. Given that Nootbaar is coming off a career-worst season where he hit just .234/.325/.361 (96 wRC+) following three consecutive seasons where he posted a wRC+ of 114 or higher, a few extra days missed at the start of the season would be well worth it for the Cardinals if it means that Nootbaar puts his best foot forward as he tries to return to the more robust offensive form he had flashed in previous seasons.
The 28-year-old is under team control with St. Louis for two more seasons before he’s slated to reach free agency during the 2027-28 offseason. For a Cardinals team that might not return to contention until Nootbaar is already a free agent, he’s certainly a logical trade candidate. Today’s news about Nootbaar’s uncertain status for Opening Day might make a trade slightly less likely to come together, but the impact on his market is likely at least relatively negligible.
After all, clubs already knew Nootbaar would be rehabbing from surgery this offseason and his dip in performance last year might have made the Cardinals hesitant to deal him before giving him the opportunity to rebound and improve his stock following his recent surgery. St. Louis has little incentive to risk selling low on Nootbaar given that he could theoretically be dealt at the 2026 trade deadline and still be available to an interested club for two pennant races and eligible for a Qualifying Offer following the 2027 season, should the QO still exist after the next round of collective bargaining negotiations next winter.
Looking at the Cardinals’ current depth chart, the possibility of losing Nootbaar for a few games to open the year shouldn’t be too much of a problem if the rest of the team’s positional corps remains healthy. Jordan Walker, Victor Scott II, Alec Burleson, and Brendan Donovan could all see time in the outfield next year, to say nothing of potential depth options like Nathan Church and Michael Siani behind that primary group. Donovan is generally viewed as more likely to spend time on the infield next year, especially if the club manages to trade Nolan Arenado this winter, but Nolan Gorman and Thomas Saggese should be able to fill in for Donovan when he plays the outfield.
He’s a bum!!
Too
He should’ve Capitolized on possibly getting a deal from Hershey’s for his own candy bar line. I think that window has closed.
Like the Reggie bar? You unwrap it and it tells you how good it is?
I never saw those. If he ever did get his own candy bar. Similar to Henry Rodriguez when he hit a homerun fans threw O-Henry Bars on the field from left field.
I guess Cardinal fans will have to deal with Donovan getting traded LOL. Don’t get me wrong, Donovan is a great player but he is the only LH bat that could be centerpiece for a trade for a starting pitcher. At this point the Cardinals have Gorman, Weatherholt, Prieto, and Sagasse to play second base so Donovan is a corner outfielder just like Nootbar and they won’t get a return for Noot. If they were to unload Arenado that could change things but they would still have enough players to fill second and third even if they traded both Arenado and Donovan.
You do realize that both Prieto and Saggese played 2b, SS and 3b this season, right? I’m sure you also realize that Gorman played more games at 3b, than at 2b this season, right?
I would rather see Gorman get moved personally, even if there’s barely a return. Donovan is actually productive and can help lead the team since there probably won’t be as many vets on the team next season. If they do move Donnie the return better be worth it because he’s a fan favorite
I have the same thing on my left heel. Doctors won’t due this surgery unless it’s absolutely necessary in part because of the recovery time. To due the trimming you have to move the achilles tendon so you could run into achilles repair as well.
“Put his best foot forward” Funny
Time heels all wounds.
Ohtani will not have his buddy at next year’s WBC.
The last time the Cardinals say they are going to do a rebuild in 2009, they went 91-71 and won the division.
Nootbaar was absolutely awful in September/October and really had no power after July. If he was injured, why didn’t they put him on the IL and send him for surgery then? They had already given up on the Wild Card.
Well there’s our October Surprise!