Inside The Cardinals

Cardinals Doubt 28-Year-Old Will Be Ready for Opening Day

The St. Louis Cardinals aren't going to be at full strength on Opening Day.
Patrick McAvoy|
Apr 24, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; A view of St. Louis Cardinals players hats and gloves in the dugout during a game with the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-Imagn Images
Apr 24, 2022; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; A view of St. Louis Cardinals players hats and gloves in the dugout during a game with the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-Imagn Images | David Kohl-Imagn Images

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St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals’ outfield isn’t expected to be at full strength when the 2026 Major League Baseball season kicks off. 

Opening Day isn’t until March, but it has already been known that outfielder Lars Nootbaar would be worked along slowly after undergoing surgery on both of his heels this offseason. 

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Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch dropped an update on Monday for the outfielder.

"He's expected to report to Spring Training and continue his rehab here," Goold wrote. "At last check, he's making strides, but there is a high level of caution for him and a very conservative approach that will continue here in Florida. The Cardinals are planning as if he won't be ready for Opening Day. They will know more about that first month of the season as this first month of spring unfolds. They've been encouraged by his recovery thus far.

The Cardinals' outfield is up on the air

St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar
Sep 6, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar (21) makes the catch on a fly ball to left field by San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey (14) in the second inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Vizer-Imagn Images | Tim Vizer-Imagn Images

"Who is LF? Well, that could be Alec Burleson if Iván Herrera is at first base. That could be the right-handed bat they were looking into signing/trading. That could be a surprise like Torres. Lots of ways this could go for the Cardinals."

The Cardinals could certainly use a big season from the 28-year-old. If he hadn't undergone double heel surgery this offseason, there's a chance we could've been talking about him like Brendan Donovan, Nolan Arenado, Sonny Gray and Willson Contreras. But Nootbaar's trade value isn't high right now after going under the knife.

Nootbaar has two seasons of control left. He's a five-year veteran entering his sixth season. The Cardinals could use Nootbaar in the lineup as fast as possible because of the trade reasons. But that's not all. The Cardinals also aren't extremely deep right now in the outfield, so they also need him in the short term in general. If he's in the outfield, then Burleson can replace Contreras at first base.

Spring Training will begin this week and we should get more updates on Nootbaar very soon.

More MLB: Cardinals Should Take Up Lance Lynn on Last-Second Trade Idea

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Patrick McAvoy
PATRICK MCAVOY

Patrick McAvoy's experiences include local and national sports coverage at the New England Sports Network with a focus on baseball and basketball. Outside of journalism, Patrick also is pursuing an MBA at Brandeis University. After quickly rising as one of the most productive writers on the site, he expanded his reach to write for Baseball Essential, a national baseball site in Sports Illustrated Media Group. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding Inside The Cardinals, please reach out to Scott Neville: nevilles@merrimack.edu

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