"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."
"As far as timelines for offseason surgeries go, Nootbaar's doesn't seem to 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."
Lars Nootbaar underwent surgery on October 7 to shave down Haglund's deformities on both heels. Chaim Bloom said Opening Day is neither entirely off the table nor entirely guaranteed and that the team will not rush his rehab. If he misses time to begin the season, the absence is expected to be limited. The surgery timeline is not viewed as worrisome, and a short early-season absence would be acceptable with the Cardinals likely in a rebuilding phase. Nootbaar hit .234/.325/.361 (96 wRC+) after three prior seasons above 114 wRC+. He remains under team control for two more seasons before potential free agency in 2027-28.
Read at MLB Trade Rumors
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