Cardinals Rising Star Could Make 2024 Debut Next Week According To Insider

It sounds like the Cardinals will be getting reinforcements back next week

Feb 19, 2024; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Lars Nootbaar (21) plays catch at / Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports

The St. Louis Cardinals should start getting reinforcements back this upcoming week.

St. Louis has been extremely thin to begin the 2024 season with the club missing ace Sonny Gray as well as outfielders Lars Nootbaar, Dylan Carlson, and Tommy Edman missing time. Both Brendan Donovan and Willson Contreras have missed a game as well after being hit by pitches.

Although the Cardinals have dealt with a surprising number of injuries, the club currently is 5-4 and has looked solid. St. Louis should look even better next week as the club finally starts to get a little healthier.

Nootbaar even could return to the lineup Monday against the Philadelphia Phillies, according to MLB.com's John Denton.

"Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar will play nine innings in (left field) today for Triple-A Memphis and DH for the Redbirds on Sunday," Denton said. "Then, he’ll likely return to St. Louis on Monday where he could be activated from the Injured List for the home series against the Phillies."

Nootbaar's return could go a long way for the Cardinals. St. Louis has been extremely thin in the outfield and Nootbaar is one of the club's best. He had the best season of his young career in 2023 and should take another step forward in 2024.

The young outfielder appeared in a career-high 117 games last season and slashed .261/.367/.418 and clubbed 14 home runs, drove in 46 runs, had 23 doubles, and stole 11 stolen bases.

St. Louis had a rough 2023 season but should be better in 2024. Nootbaar's return certainly should help the club take the next step.

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