Cardinals Activate Lars Nootbar, Demote Promising Young Slugger
The St. Louis Cardinals will need all the help they can get to climb out of their last-place hole in the National League Central. Fortunately, one key cog has returned to the starting lineup.
The Cardinals activated outfielder Lars Nootbar (back strain) and plugged him into the lineup as the No. 3 hitter against the Washington Nationals on Monday. To make room for Nootbar, the Cardinals optioned first baseman Luken Baker to Triple-A Memphis.
Cardinals manager Oli Marmol appears set on prioritizing outfield defense, as he elected to keep the versatile Tommy Edman in center fielder while placing Nootbar in right field and Brendan Donovan in left field.
Jordan Walker has been relegated to the designated hitter role as his outfield defense has not come along as quickly as St. Louis would have liked.
For that reason, Baker essentially had no role on the team outside of pinch-hitting and occasionally spelling reigning National League MVP Paul Goldschmidt at first base.
Nootbar's presence is an unquestioned positive for the lineup but it's a shame that Baker has no role on this team, short or long-term. Baker went 4-for-14 (.286) in four games played for St. Louis after tearing the cover off the ball in Memphis.
The 26-year-old hit .313 with 29 extra-base hits and an incredible 18 home runs with 53 RBIs and a 1.075 OPS in 54 games.
If they aren't going to use him, and it looks like they won't, St. Louis would be wise to capitalize on his value at the upcoming trade deadline.
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