St. Louis Cardinals fans have grown tired of outfielder Lars Nootbaar’s continuous injury troubles, and his availability for Opening Day is already in doubt before the offseason has even began.
Chaim Bloom spoke on KMOX’s weekly “Sports on a Sunday Morning” and told Matt Pauley that Nootbaar’s availability for Opening Day was uncertain following his recent surgery. It is too early to say whether he will be ready, but they will not rush his rehabilitation and are fully aware that he may not be ready in time. Bloom does not expect him to miss much time beyond the first half of the season if that is the case.
When it was revealed that Nootbaar underwent surgery on both of his heels to correct Haglund’s abnormalities, his status for 2026 was immediately called into question. Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat wrote about the lengthy recovery timelines for former MLB outfielder Yoenis Cespedes and former NBA star John Wall, but Bernie Miklasz of STL Sports Central and KMOX also provided feedback from medical professionals who said the process has improved significantly in recent years.
Regardless, Nootbaar’s offseason won’t be a smooth one. Even if he’s cleared in time for Opening Day, his current situation significantly hurts his short-term trade value. While the idea of non-tendering him still doesn’t hold up, it’s difficult to envision the Cardinals getting the kind of return they once hoped for in a deal.
Bloom’s update makes it increasingly likely that Nootbaar will remain with the Cardinals to start the 2026 season. His 2025 campaign was undeniably disappointing, and it’s understandable that many fans are ready to move on. Still, the team doesn’t have enough overall talent to simply part with him for nothing. In a rebuilding phase, it’s far more logical to let him rebuild his value during the first half of 2026 rather than lose him for free.
With Nolan Arenado expected to be traded this winter and Ivan Herrera moving back behind the plate, lineup space won’t be nearly as tight in 2026 as it was this past year, even if JJ Wetherholt makes the roster. And if the Cardinals move any of Brendan Donovan, Nolan Gorman, Alec Burleson, or Willson Contreras, there will be even more room for the remaining players.
Beyond Wetherholt, the organization doesn’t have many position prospects on the verge of debuting. Players like Thomas Saggese and Nathan Church don’t require immediate opportunities, and it’ll be some time before prospects such as Joshua Baez, Leonardo Bernal, and Rainiel Rodriguez are ready for big-league consideration. For that reason, there’s no urgency for the Cardinals to cut ties with Nootbaar, even if a portion of the fanbase wishes they would.