Lars Nootbaar, the St. Louis Cardinals outfielder, began spring training this week in Jupiter, Florida, but with uncertainty surrounding his return to Major League Baseball. The 28-year-old underwent surgery on both heels last October to correct Haglund’s deformities, a painful bone condition that had hindered his mobility and performance over several seasons.
Following the procedure, Nootbaar spent much of the offseason immobilized in protective boots on both feet, describing his recovery period as “pretty boring.” His healing routine involved six days a week of physical therapy, with little else to occupy his time during the rehabilitation process.
“We don’t really have a date. We don’t want to put a date on anything like that. So we’re just going to make sure that everything’s healthy and we don’t go through this whole process just to have to go backwards due to a setback.”
?Lars Nootbaar, St. Louis Cardinals Outfielder
An Intensive Recovery Journey with Team Support
The Cardinals arranged for Nootbaar to continue his extended recovery at a specialized facility in California, where he had access to an altered gravity treadmill unavailable at the team’s modernized spring training complex. Despite the demanding therapy schedule, Nootbaar stressed the value of being physically present with the Cardinals organization during camp.
“I think it’s important for me to be here with the team, with the staff, showing my face and making sure that guys around here know that I’m here,”
“And build a relationship with the team, with the new guys.”
?Lars Nootbaar, St. Louis Cardinals Outfielder
He has started engaging in throwing and hitting drills but remains unsure if he will be ready for Opening Day. As the second-oldest position player on the Cardinals’ 40-man roster, Nootbaar would be the clear choice to start in right field if healthy. However, his availability at the season’s start looks less certain.
Nootbaar plans to accumulate roughly 40 plate appearances—whether in spring games or minor league contests—before feeling prepared for regular-season play. He acknowledged that readiness depends largely on how he feels physically, rather than a fixed timeline.
The Impact of Heel Pain Beyond the Field
Nootbaar spoke openly about how his heel condition had affected everyday activities, revealing that severe discomfort made simple movements, like climbing stairs, difficult without support.
“There were points the past couple years where I couldn’t walk up and down stairs without really gripping a rail. I just felt like I was 27 going on 28 now, and I was just like I know guys played through pain, but this feels a little bit more than what people probably play through on a daily basis.”
?Lars Nootbaar, St. Louis Cardinals Outfielder
He also admitted that the condition had significantly diminished his athleticism in recent years, which contributed to multiple injuries and limited his ability to perform at his full potential. His struggles were reflected in a career-low .686 OPS during 135 games last season.
“The condition had robbed me of athleticism the past few years,”
?Lars Nootbaar, St. Louis Cardinals Outfielder
Cardinals’ Commitment to Nootbaar’s Future
While rumors circulated this offseason about trades involving several veteran Cardinals, including Nolan Arenado, Brendan Donovan, Sonny Gray, and Willson Contreras, the team decided to retain Nootbaar. This move signals their confidence that once fully healed, Nootbaar can return to the strong form he showed in 2022 and 2023, when he hit 28 home runs and posted a .786 OPS.
Nootbaar’s rise from a cult favorite following his 2023 World Baseball Classic performance with Team Japan to his current recovery journey exemplifies the often unpredictable nature of professional sports. Cardinals fans, who once chanted “Nooooot” at Busch Stadium, now wait hopefully for a fully healthy version of their outfielder to rejoin them.
The Cardinals’ youthful roster—potentially lacking any position players older than 27 if Nootbaar remains sidelined at the start of the season—introduces both opportunities and challenges as Chaim Bloom begins his tenure in St. Louis. Nootbaar’s eventual comeback could deliver vital veteran leadership and steadiness to a roster filled with talented but inexperienced players.
For the time being, the priority is managing Nootbaar’s rehabilitation carefully without imposing strict return dates, allowing his body the needed time to recover without risking setbacks.
