Cardinals Get Unfortunate Injury News As Young Stud Is Placed On Injured List

St. Louis has been bitten by the injury bug already in 2023

The 2023 season hasn't gotten off to the start the St. Louis Cardinals had hoped for. 

St. Louis is 2-2 after four games. The Cardinals' offense has been solid to open the season, but the pitching has been spotty and the club already has been bitten by the injury bug. All-Star catcher Willson Contreras and right-handed reliever Giovanny Gallegos both seemed poised to miss time, but luckily are back for St. Louis. 

On the other hand, outfielder Lars Nootbaar has only appeared in one game so far this season for the Cardinals after suffering a jammed left thumb while sliding into a base on Opening Day. The young outfielder has tried to test his thumb but has been unable to return to the lineup and the club officially placed the outfielder on the injured list Monday afternoon. 

Nootbaar was placed on the 10-day injured list retroactive to March 31 by St. Louis. The soonest that the 25-year-old could return to the field would be April 9 against the Milwaukee Brewers, but there's no indication yet if he will be able to do so. On the bright side, it seems as if Nootbaar's injury isn't serious and he'll return to the field sooner rather than later. 

The 25-year-old entered the 2022 season as the club's fourth outfielder but snatched a starting role after putting together a solid campaign. Nootbaar finished 2022 slashing .228/.340/.448 to go along with 14 home runs and 48 RBIs in 108 games played. St. Louis is loaded with depth, but Nootbaar's eventual return to the lineup certainly will be a welcomed sight.

Hopefully we're able to see him back at Busch Stadium in the very near future. 

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