Cardinals Hit With Crushing Injury News Right Before Opening Day

The Cardinals recently opted to place Lars Nootbaar on the 60-day injured list ahead of the season...

Aug 31, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar (21) high fives teammates after scoring on a sacrifice fly out hit by third baseman Nolan Gorman (not pictured) in the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images | Katie Stratman-Imagn Images

The St. Louis Cardinals opted to rebuild their roster from the ground up this offseason. As a result, they made a slew of trades to send their own veteran talent to contending teams in exchange for young prospects with potential for the future.

As a result, the future looks much brighter in St. Louis. The Cardinals have a lot of talent to look forward to this year, including top prospect JJ Wetherholt. Wetherholt is expected to take over as the everyday second baseman in St. Louis after the Cardinals traded Brendan Donovan.

But to make room for Wetherholt on the 40-man roster, the Cardinals had to slide outfielder Lars Nootbaar to the 60-day injured list, which isn't indicative of a smooth recovery process from double heel surgery over the offseason.

Cardinals place Lars Nootbaar on 60-day injured list

Sep 19, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Brice Turang (2) dives and tags out St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Lars Nootbaar (21) during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

"Lars Nootbaar was placed on the 60-day IL to open a 40-man spot for JJ Wetherholt. The 60 day clock starts on opening day, so Nootbaar will be out through Memorial Day," Cardinals reporter Jeff Jones wrote in a post to X on Wednesday.

Nootbaar has been mentioned as a trade piece for months, but the Cardinals haven't been able to move him. Given how long he's going to be out, the Cardinals shouldn't have any expectations for him this year. As a result, players like Joshua Baez and Jordan Walker will be under the microscope with an additional open role in the outfield.

But Nootbaar wasn't the only Cardinals player who landed on the injured list this week. Nootbaar will be joined by starting pitcher Hunter Dobbins, who was placed on the 15-day injured list, too.

Cardinals lose Hunter Dobbins to injured list, too

Feb 16, 2026; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher prospect Grayson Tarlow (right) walks with pitcher Hunter Dobbins (40) during spring training workouts at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images | Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images

"OF Lars Nootbaar has been placed on the 60-day IL (bilateral Haglund’s Deformity excision)," the Cardinals wrote in their official team announcement on X. "RHP Hunter Dobbins has been placed on the 15-day IL (right knee ACL reconstruction-rehab)."

Dobbins was brought in this offseason in a big trade with the Boston Red Sox. He's expected to compete for a spot in the starting rotation when healthy.

Dobbins' injury news isn't as crushing as Nootbaar's. Nootbaar will be out at least two months while Dobbins will only be out a minimum of two weeks.