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Cardinals Announce Injury News After Loss to Braves

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Gavin M. Groe | Last updated Jul 13, 2025 2:41 PM ET

At 50–46, the St. Louis Cardinals sit in third place in a highly competitive National League Central race.

After a solid start to the year, the club has dropped seven of its last ten games, hampered largely by nagging injuries to key contributors such as third baseman Nolan Arenado and first baseman Willson Contreras.

Following Saturday’s game against the Atlanta Braves, St. Louis announced that outfielder Lars Nootbaar was placed on the 10-day injured list with left rib pain after he left the game early, clearing a roster spot for catcher Ivan Herrera’s return.

Nootbaar also exited the series finale against the Washington Nationals on Thursday. After attempting to play through the discomfort, the 27-year-old admitted the pain persisted, prompting the Cardinals to shut him down before the All-Star break.

C/DH Iván Herrera has been activated from the 10-day IL.

OF Lars Nootbaar has been placed on the 10-day Injured List (left costochondral sprain). pic.twitter.com/0u5yVYbToO
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) July 13, 2025

An eighth-round pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, Nootbaar debuted with St. Louis in 2021 and has been a reliable run producer ever since, posting an OPS near .800 in each of his last three seasons.

This year, in 88 games, his bat has cooled considerably. He’s batting .227 with a .712 OPS—career lows for a player who once provided consistent production. When he eventually rejoins the lineup, Nootbaar will aim to recapture his prior form and, just as importantly, stay healthy down the stretch.

With only one game remaining before the break, the Cardinals remain just 2.5 games back of the third NL wild-card spot.

As St. Louis fights for a postseason spot, Nootbaar’s return and steady production will be essential to keeping their playoff hopes alive.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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