{"id":166139,"date":"2026-03-18T15:10:04","date_gmt":"2026-03-18T15:10:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=166139"},"modified":"2026-03-18T15:10:04","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T15:10:04","slug":"bombshell-from-the-birdcage-cardinals-lars-nootbaar-drops-devastating-self-injury-update-the-brutal-timeline-reveal-thats-already-sending-panic-through-st-louis-and-leaving-redb","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=166139","title":{"rendered":"BOMBSHELL FROM THE BIRDCAGE: Cardinals’ Lars Nootbaar Drops Devastating Self-Injury Update \u2013 The Brutal Timeline Reveal That\u2019s Already Sending Panic Through St. Louis and Leaving Redbird Nation Reeling"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Sep<\/picture><\/div>\n
Sep 6, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar (21) at bat against the San Francisco Giants at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Vizer-Imagn Images | Tim Vizer-Imagn Images<\/div>\n

The St. Louis Cardinals’ outfield may not look the same on Opening Day as it did at the end of the 2025 season, but it sounds like a significant piece is working his way back.<\/p>\n

It has been known for months that Lars Nootbaar is working his way back after undergoing offseason surgery on both of his heels. Outside of the idea that Nootbaar is working his way back, there hasn’t been a lot said about his status. On Tuesday, Nootbaar gave a significant update on himself and noted that he has been making “big strides” lately.<\/p>\n

“Last month since I’ve been out in Florida, probably timing-wise with surgery and everything, I’ve made some big strides recently,” Nootbaar said. “So, that’s the exciting part. Not rushing or anything, but just been feeling really good. … No day yet, we’ll see. We don’t want to rush. We’ve kind of just been progressing as I progress. Since I’ve been in Florida, I’ve been progressing really well. We have optimism.”<\/p>\n

The Cardinals outfielder is trending up<\/strong><\/h2>\n
\"St.Sep 19, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals left fielder Lars Nootbaar (21) hits a one run single against the Milwaukee Brewers during the first inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Lars Nootbaar has made \u201csome big strides\u201d in his recovery from Haglund\u2019s deformity surgery over the past month in Florida \ud83d\udcc8<\/p>\n

That said, there\u2019s still no timetable \u2014 he\u2019s taking it day by day and not rushing anything #STLCards<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/qwNZiseSZK<\/a><\/p>\n

— STL Sports Central (@STLSprtsCntrl) March 17, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n