The St. Louis Cardinals will face a roster decision soon. Outfielder Lars Nootbaar has not played yet this season due to Haglund’s deformities in both ankles. However, he is starting a rehab assignment soon and is expected to be back in late May or early June. When Nootbaar returns, the Cardinals will need to make a corresponding roster move to add him to their active roster.
Cardinals’ Roster Decision When Nootbaar Returns
Nootbaar’s Role With the Team
Prior to his injury, Nootbaar was expected to be the team’s Opening Day left fielder. Given Nathan Church‘s strong performance in Nootbaar’s absence, Nootbaar may not have a starting job when he returns. However, that will depend on the roster move the Cardinals make, but we will get to that. At worst, Nootbaar will be a fourth outfielder coming off the bench.
Who is Optioned When Nootbaar Returns?
A few factors needed to be taken into account to narrow down the list. The biggest factor is that infielder Ramon Urias is due to return from the injured list soon, so someone will need to be sent down. That will likely be Thomas Saggese, as he was sent down to the minors but recalled when Urias went on the IL.
As a result, we can cross Saggese off the list of possibilities. That leaves two realistic options.
Victor Scott II
Scott entered the season looking to take the next step in his career. Despite consistent playing time, the 25-year-old has struggled. He is batting just .186 in 97 at-bats. He has only struck out three times in his last five games, which is a positive, but he is simply not getting on base enough.
Scott’s struggles, combined with Church’s play, create a scenario in which Scott is sent to the minor leagues when Nootbaar returns. The Cardinals will not want to take Church’s bat out of the lineup. Furthermore, Nootbaar can give the lineup the boost it is lacking from Scott, although his defense is not of the same caliber as Scott’s.
If Nootbaar does take Scott’s starting job, it would make sense to send Scott down. He is still young and needs consistent at-bats. He cannot grow as a player if he is only getting a few at-bats a week. Sending him to the minors would allow him to continue to see consistent at-bats and hopefully find the way to get on base more. If Scott is removed from the MLB lineup, he absolutely cannot just be the fourth outfielder on the roster. Even keeping him on the roster as a possible pinch runner and/or as a defensive replacement late in a game is not a good enough reason to keep him on the team if he is not going to get the at-bats.
Yohel Pozo
Pozo is the third catcher on the Cardinals’ roster, behind Ivan Herrera and Pedro Pages. He has been on the roster all season, but has only had 18 at-bats this season. The majority of the time behind the plate has gone to Pages, with Herrera getting starts as the team works him back into the catching routine.
Pozo’s last game was this past Sunday, but before that, his last appearance was on April 26th. He has not received regular playing time, as expected heading into the season. This makes Pozo’s spot on the roster expendable. Do the Cardinals really need to carry three catchers on the roster? Given how little Pozo has played, the answer is no. Pages can continue to handle the workload behind the plate, with Herrera getting starts sprinkled into the routine. Pozo is not needed on the roster at this time.
In this scenario, Nootbaar would need to be the fourth outfielder coming off the bench to continue to give Scott consistent at-bats.
Scott or Pozo: Who Goes Down?
There is no right or wrong answer to the Cardinals’ roster decision. However, what matters most is Scott’s continued development. If Nootbaar takes his spot in the lineup, Scott should go to the minors to get regular at-bats. If Pozo is sent down, the Cardinals need to be sure Nootbaar is just the fourth outfielder, not taking away at-bats from Scott.
Given the Cardinals’ busy May, it makes more sense to keep Pozo on the active roster since he can catch and also play first base. He could give Pages a day off while keeping Herrera on his catching schedule. Furthermore, Pozo could play first base and give Alec Burleson a day off from the field.
Again, whoever the Cardinals choose to send down has to make sense for that player and the team. It is also important to note that future injuries or other scenarios may affect this decision. We will have to wait and see what presents itself when the time comes for Nootbaar to rejoin the Cardinals.
Main Photo: Jeff Curry- Imagn Images
