Cardinals Rising Star Has Chance To Return From Tough Injury This Week

St. Louis may get another reinforcement back this week

Sep 3, 2023; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Lars Nootbaar (21) reacts / Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

The St. Louis Cardinals already have gotten one star back this week and another could be on his way back to the club.

St. Louis has been dealing with a plethora of injuries but finally is starting to get some reinforcements back. Star pitcher Sonny Gray is the first person who dealt with a serious injury to return as he made his team debut with the club on Tuesday night.

It sounds like he may not be the only player to return from an injury this week as outfielder Lars Nootbaar could be back as soon as Friday, according to MLB.com's John Denton.

"Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said he plans to speak to (left fielder) Lars Nootbaar later today after Double-A Springfield’s day game," Denton said. "If Nootbaar is happy with his timing at the plate, he could accompany the team to Arizona on Thursday night and be activated by Friday, Marmol said."

Nootbaar returning to the lineup could go a major way for St. Louis. The Cardinals currently are 6-6 on the young season and the offense hasn't been as good as expected. Plus, the Cardinals are extremely thin in the outfield.

The 26-year-old will provide some pop in the lineup while also helping out in the outfield. St. Louis has some high expectations this season and the return of Nootbaar only will help. He had the best season of his young career in 2023 and hopefully will be able to maintain that momentum with St. Louis soon.

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