PHOENIX — Lars Nootbaar’s season debut for the Cardinals waited a little more than two weeks and came 14 games into the season. The Southern California native and former collegiate standout at USC missed the highly anticipated season-opening series in Los Angeles due to a pair of fractured ribs. He went into spring training as the club’s projected starting left fielder.
It certainly disappointed Nootbaar to miss that series and to not be with the club to start the season – he remained at the Cardinals’ spring training facility in Jupiter, Florida, when they broke camp – but he tried to think about the big picture.
“The stuff that happens if you rush those things can last a lot longer than being back here April 12th,†Nootbaar said in the clubhouse at Chase Field in Phoenix prior to Friday night’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. “I had a lot of guys like (Matt Carpenter) and (Paul Goldschmidt) and Nolan (Arenado) come talk to me and just tell me to make sure that I’m all right.â€
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The Cardinals activated Nootbaar on Thursday, following a six-game minor-league rehab assignment that included 21 at-bats. Weather forced his assignment to shift between Triple-A Memphis and Double-A Springfield.
As far as his timing at the plate, Nootbaar said he feels ready.
“The game will determine that, but I feel pretty confident about where I’m at,†Nootbaar said. “I think at some point you’ve just got to take the training wheels off and go in there and play. So we’ll see, but I’m confident of where I’m at right now.â€
Heading into Friday, Nootbaar had gone 8 for 17 (.471) with two home runs, 11 walks and nine runs scored in 28 career plate appearances at Chase Field.
Nootbaar suffered the fractured ribs when he collided with the outfield wall in left field during a spring training game in West Palm Beach, Florida.
Speaking with reporters Friday, Nootbaar said he initially felt discomfort in his ribs when he started his swing. The “jolt†when he started to twist his body caused pain. He also said he could feel a “burning†feeling when running and he also felt it while throwing.
Nootbaar, recognizing he’d just reeled off three key elements of the game in hitting, running and throwing, then quipped, “Other than that it felt pretty good.â€
Right around when the team headed to Arizona for the final two exhibition games, he started to “let the swing go†in the batting cages.
Asked if he had any concerns about taking on the workload of playing everyday, coming off an interrupted spring training, Nootbaar said, “I think that’s why we kind of why we spent that time. I don’t know if I played two days of defense in a row, but I’m young. I feel pretty good. Even after those days of defense, I was waking up feeling pretty good. It’s just making sure I’m doing the right stuff. … I told them I’m good to go.â€
Last season, Nootbaar slashed .261/.367/.418 with 14 home runs and 46 RBIs in 117 games.
Nootbaar’s plate discipline has been an aspect that has set him apart since he’s been in the majors. In 283 career games, he has walked 136 times and struck out 198.
“He feels good about where he’s at with his swing,†Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said. “He felt like he got enough at-hat to be productive. The most important thing for him was just seeing the baseball.
“He controls the strike zone really well. That’s one of his assets, and he wanted to make sure he was doing that. His last couple games, he felt really good about that. So I’m definitely excited to put him in that lineup and let him do his thing.â€
Contreras back behind the plate
Starting catcher Willson Contreras returned to the starting lineup at catcher for the first time since he sustained a bone bruise on his left hand after San Diego Padres pitcher Joe Musgrove hit him with a pitch in the series finale in San Diego on April 3.
Contreras played in the final two games of the series against the Philadelphia Phillies at Busch Stadium, but served as the designated hitter.
Rookie catcher Ivan Herrera, who started in Contreras’ place, was into in the lineup for Friday night’s series opener against the Diamondbacks. He entered the day batting .290 with a .581 slugging percentage and three home runs in nine games.
“He’s going to find his way in that lineup,†Marmol said. “We’ll find opportunities to keep him sharp because he did a really nice job against all pitch types.â€
Carlson and Carpenter make progress
Veteran infielder/designated hitter Matt Carpenter is on the injured list with a right oblique strain. He has been taking swings and hitting off a tee as well as soft toss. Though not taking full-speed swings, Marmol described it as “progress is being made†with Carpenter.
Outfielder Dylan Carlson, who sustained a left shoulder AC sprain in the second to last exhibition game of spring training in an outfield collision, could begin a swing progression as early as Monday.
Meanwhile center fielder Tommy Edman, who has had a longer-than-expected rehab from offseason wrist surgery, has taken dry swings and is expected to progress to hitting off of a tee.
Relief pitcher Riley O’Brien could start a throwing program as early as Monday. O’Brien has been sidelined by a right forearm flexor strain.