Lars Nootbaar will make his 2026 debut with the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday. The outfielder has not played since last season, but has completed a rehab assignment with the organization’s minor league affiliates. Nootbaar will rejoin the roster this weekend when the Cardinals host the Cincinnati Reds. His return will improve the Cardinals’ lineup.
Lars Nootbaar will be back on the active roster Friday, mgr Oli Marmol confirms.
Likely to debut that night in lineup, playing in majors for first time since last season. https://t.co/HVnWckGHji
— Derrick Goold (@dgoold) June 4, 2026
Nootbaar’s Return Improves the Cardinals’ Lineup
The following will include a look at individual players’ stats. Please note that these stats do not include Wednesday’s game.
A Jekyll and Hyde Lineup
The top four in the Cardinals’ lineup have been productive hitters. JJ Wetherholt is batting .279 with runners in scoring position (RISP). Ivan Herrera, while batting just .200 with RISP, is batting .260 overall, indicating he is getting on base. Alec Burleson is batting an impressive .338 with RISP. Lastly, Jordan Walker, who is having a great 2026 so far, is batting .304 with RISP.
The top four in the Cardinals’ lineup are doing their job. However, the remainder of the lineup is struggling. Nolan Gorman is hitting just .200 with RISP. Masyn Winn is batting just .184. Victor Scott II, someone the Cardinals were hoping would be a plus player in the lineup, is hitting .091 with RISP.
The 5-8 hitters are struggling to hit with men on base. This lack of production is costing the Cardinals games. An example of this was on Tuesday night, when Nelson Velazquez, Winn, and Jose Fermin failed to drive in a runner on third with no outs. The top of the Cardinals’ lineup got on base, the those below them failed to drive them in. Instead of taking the lead, the Cardinals would lose what may have been their most frustrating loss of the season.
Can Nootbaar Help?
Nootbaar is a career .242 hitter. He does not hit for much power, with his career high in home runs being 14. However, he is not someone who strikes out often, with only one season of 100+ strikeouts. He is patient at the plate and puts the ball in play, but does not hit into many double plays.
Furthermore, Nootbaar does have some success hitting in the fifth, seventh, and eighth spots in the lineup. When he bats fifth, Nootbaar is a career .256 hitter. When he bats seventh, he hits .276. When he bats eighth, he bats .269.
Now, Nootbaar is just a career. 246 hitter with RISP. However, that is still better than what players like Gorman, Winn, and Scott are doing at the moment.
The Ideal Cardinals’ Lineup With Nootbaar
When Nootbaar returns, this is the ideal lineup manager Oliver Marmol should use:
1. Wetherholt 2B
2. Herrera DH
3. Burleson 1B
4. Walker RF
5. Nootbaar LF
6. Winn SS
7. Jimmy Crooks C
8. Fermin 3B
9. Scott CF
This is, of course, subject to change depending on a given matchup with the starting pitcher. It can also be argued whether or not Gorman should remain in the lineup, or even who gets sent down when Nootbaar is activated, but the big takeaway from this is that Nootbaar should bat fifth when he returns to the Cardinals’ lineup. This would give the Cardinals a little more stability in the middle of their order, as well as someone who has had success in that spot. He is also someone who could deliver that key hit or simply keep the line moving.
Is Nootbaar a Long-Term Solution?
The simple answer is no. While Nootbaar can improve the Cardinals’ lineup and provide a spark to the middle of the order, he is not a prototypical middle-of-the-order bat. His batting fifth would be out of necessity, not a traditional matchup choice.
However, the Cardinals’ strategy needs to be increasing production, regardless of how they do it. This team is defying expectations so far this season, and their June schedule is favorable for keeping them in the hunt by July. In order to be in that spot, the Cardinals’ lineup needs help.
In a Perfect World….
Cardinal fans would agree that in a perfect world, prospects Joshua Baez and/or Blaze Jordan will get called up and get their opportunity to produce in the lineup. It is understandable to want to see the young guns get an opportunity in the Cardinals’ lineup. However, that is another story for another day. In fact, keep your eye on Last Word On Baseball. We may discuss that topic here in the next few days. Hint, hint.
Main Photo: Jeff Curry- Imagn Images
