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Lars Nootbaar Worth Stashing Ahead of Season Debut?
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar (heels), who is expected to come off the 60-day injured list to make his 2026 season debut on Friday against the division-rival Cincinnati Reds, hit his third minor-league home run on Wednesday in his 12th rehab game, per MLB reporter John Denton. Nootbaar had double heel surgery last October and has yet to play for the Cardinals this year. The 28-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder has teased power upside in the past, but he hasn't taken advantage of regular playing time in St. Louis has also been limited by injuries along the way. The former eighth-rounder in 2018 out of USC has slashed .242/.341/.406 with a .747 OPS in his five major-league seasons (all with the Red Birds). Fantasy managers in mixed leagues should probably take a wait-and-see approach on Nootbaar as he returns to the big leagues following a long absence. He's currently rostered in just 2% of Yahoo leagues, but he should be playing regularly in St. Louis upon his return, at least against right-handed pitching.
Source: MLB.com - John Denton
Source: MLB.com - John Denton
