Lars Nootbaar Not Ready To Return Monday
Lars Nootbaar (ribs) will not come off the injured list on Monday and will return to Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday to get in more at-bats in the minors. Nootbaar took batting practice on Monday at Busch Stadium and is trying to regain his timing at the plate after being out since early March with rib fractures. The 26-year-old left-handed swinger has gone 3-for-17 in five minor-league contests as he ramps up and would like some more at-bats before he makes his big-league debut for the Cardinals. Once he's activated from the injured list, rookie Victor Scott II could be sent back to the farm after going 3-for-36 (.083) with a stolen base, two walks and 11 strikeouts in his first 39 major-league plate appearances.
Source: MLB.com - John Denton
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Source: MLB.com - John Denton
Lars Nootbaar Sitting For First Time This Year
Lars Nootbaar will take his first day off of the season on Tuesday against the division-rival Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Michael Siani will replace him in center field and will hit eighth in the batting order against Pirates right-hander Paul Skenes. Nootbaar has gotten off to a nice start in 2025, batting .302 (13-for-43) with two homers, a double and six RBI in 10 games, but he has just one hit in his last 14 at-bats. Siani has started the year by going 1-for-4 with two runs scored, a walk and two strikeouts in his nine appearances. The 25-year-old left-handed hitter will be a poor DFS option in the eight-hole against one of the best young arms in the game in Skenes. Siani has faced Skenes seven times in his career and is hitting .143 with a .429 OPS.
Source: MLB.com
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Source: MLB.com
Lars Nootbaar Homers On Monday
Lars Nootbaar went 2-for-3 with two walks, a homer, and two runs scored in a 5-4 loss to the Los Angeles Angels on Monday. Nootbaar kicked off the scoring for the Cardinals with a leadoff homer in the first inning. The veteran outfielder is off to a fast start in 2025, picking up six hits, including two homers, over 13 at-bats thus far. Nootbaar will look to continue the hot hitting as the calendar flips to April.
Source: MLB.com
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Source: MLB.com
Lars Nootbaar Back In Leadoff Spot For Cardinals
Lars Nootbaar is starting in left field and is back in the leadoff spot for the team's second game of the season on Saturday against the visiting Minnesota Twins and right-hander Joe Ryan at Busch Stadium. As a result, shortstop Masyn Winn will hit ninth for the second game in a row to begin the season. Nootbaar will see a notable boost in fantasy value if he sticks atop St. Louis' batting order in 2025 against right-handed pitchers. The 27-year-old got a good start on Opening Day on Thursday by going 2-for-4 with a two-run home run to help beat the Twins, and he'll hope to keep it going this weekend. Although he has only faced Ryan three times in his career, he has taken him deep once and driven in two runs. Nootbaar has struggled to stay on the field since 2023 due to injuries, but if he can stay healthy in 2025, a breakout campaign could be coming.
Source: MLB.com
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Source: MLB.com
Lars Nootbaar Goes Deep In Opener
Lars Nootbaar launched a two-run home run as part of a 2-for-4 performance in a win over the Twins. He led off in this game against a right-handed pitcher, which is a positive sign for his future fantasy outlook. Nootbaar came into 2025 with some sleeper appeal after slashing .290/.420/.565 in September to close out last season. He posted an excellent 49.5% hard-hit rate and walked at a 12.8% clip in 2024. He has the skills to be a fantasy difference-maker if he can put it all together, and he is worth a speculative add in any leagues where he is available.
Source: MLB.com
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Source: MLB.com
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