As the MLB trade deadline nears, the St. Louis Cardinals appear to be leaning toward subtracting from their roster rather than adding to it — a decision now complicated by the health status of two key left-handed hitters: second baseman and outfielder.
According to Katie Woo of The Athletic, the Cardinals are optimistic that both key stars could begin rehab assignments as soon as next week. While that’s a positive development, there’s still a level of caution surrounding their recoveries.
Top star has been due to inflammation in his lower back. He received an injection earlier in the week and has since started ramping up his baseball activity. His back issues have been a recurring problem, which manager Oliver Marmol openly acknowledged.
“I’ve had to answer that question every year he’s been with us,” Marmol said. “It flares up every year at some point, and it’s just part of it.”
Despite the lingering issue, Gorman remains optimistic about his return and believes he’ll come back strong.
What will the Cardinals’ plan be at the deadline with the piling up of injuries?
“This isn’t ideal, but it’s the situation right now,” Nolan Gorman said. “I’ll get it under control and come back stronger. It’s just inflammation — once that clears up, I should feel normal again.”
The timing of the injury was especially frustrating for Gorman, who grew up in Phoenix and had friends and family planning to watch him play at Chase Field last weekend. However, he’s focused on the bigger picture.
“This is my profession,” he said. “It’s my career, so I need to do what’s necessary to play this game for the long haul.”
While Gorman appears to be making progress, Lars Nootbaar’s recovery is less encouraging. The outfielder is dealing with a left costochondral sprain — an injury involving inflammation or separation of the cartilage between the ribs and sternum — and is still unable to swing pain-free.
According to John Denton of MLB.com, Nootbaar’s rehab has hit a standstill, and there’s currently no timeline for his return. The Cardinals initially hoped rest and therapy would be enough, but recovery has been slower than expected.
Because of the uncertainty surrounding their health, neither Gorman nor Nootbaar is likely to be traded, even if there’s interest from other teams. The Cardinals are expected to keep both players, hoping they can return and contribute later in the season.
With Jordan Walker and Nolan Arenado recently rejoining the lineup, St. Louis is trying to find offensive consistency. But if the team hopes to make a late push, having Gorman and Nootbaar healthy and productive will be just as critical as any deadline move they make.