Lars Nootbaar Back in Cardinals Lineup on Friday
Lars Nootbaar (ribs) is starting in left field and will bat fifth in Friday's series opener against the visiting Atlanta Braves and right-hander Grant Holmes at Busch Stadium. Nootbaar has been bothered by a rib injury dating back to last week, and he was forced out of Thursday's contest prematurely with soreness. However, the 27-year-old is feeling good going into the weekend and will wind up returning the very next day. The left-handed-hitting outfielder has hit just .230 on the season for the Cards with 12 home runs. Nootbaar has been slightly better so far in July, going 7-for-27 (.259) with a homer, two doubles, two RBI and five runs scored in eight games and 30 trips to the plate. Despite the fact he only has 12 homers in 86 games, he's only three homers shy of setting a new career-high. Nootbaar has gone hitless in just one at-bat against Holmes in his career.
Source: MLB.com
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Source: MLB.com

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