The St. Louis Cardinals are on the rise in their pursuit of a National League Wild Card berth.
After a brief setback due to a rib sprain in mid-July, outfielder Lars Nootbaar has returned to the field for the Cardinals. However, in the third inning of their recent 3-2 victory over the Rockies, Nootbaar took a foul ball to his left leg, causing concern for his status in the game.
Despite the injury, Nootbaar showed determination and stayed in the game for another three innings. This display of grit and resilience is a testament to the Cardinals’ growing momentum as they push for a spot in the playoffs.
The St. Louis Cardinals Gain Momentum in Wild Card Race, But Face Injury Concerns for Key Player
The St. Louis Cardinals are making a strong push for a National League Wild Card spot, currently trailing the New York Mets by just three games for the final berth. However, their recent success may be overshadowed by an injury concern for one of their top players.
Outfielder Lars Nootbaar, who had just returned from a rib sprain that landed him on the injured list in mid-July, was forced to exit Monday’s game against the Colorado Rockies after taking a foul ball off his left leg in the third inning. Despite initially staying in the game for another three innings, Nootbaar eventually had to leave due to pain and swelling in his knee.
Thankfully, X-rays came back negative and Nootbaar is considered day-to-day moving forward, according to MLB.com’s John Denton. However, this is just the latest in a string of injuries for the 27-year-old outfielder, who has already been on the injured list five times since 2023.
As the Cardinals continue their pursuit of a playoff spot, they will have to closely monitor Nootbaar’s status. While it appears that this injury won’t be long-term, his availability for the team’s second game against the Rockies is uncertain. With a salary of $2.95 million, Nootbaar’s contributions on the field are crucial for the Cardinals’ success.
