Injuries & Moves: Updates on Nootbaar, Herrera, Edman, O'Brien
LATEST NEWS
10-DAY/15-DAY INJURED LIST
OF Lars Nootbaar (oblique strain)
Expected return: Likely July 5
Nootbaar, who has been on the injured list since May 30 with an oblique strain suffered while checking a swing at the plate, began a Minor League rehab assignment with Double-A Springfield on June 28. Nootbaar played seven innings as the right fielder on July 1 with Springfield, and manager Oliver Marmol said the outfielder is scheduled to play all nine innings on July 2.
Nootbaar feels that he will likely need six-to-eight games to get his timing back at the plate and to work his body back into game shape. He has been limited to 39 games with the Cardinals this season because of rib and oblique injuries. Nootbaar has hit .234 with five home runs, seven doubles and 19 RBIs. He spent time on the IL three times last season after suffering thumb, back and groin injuries. (Last updated: July 2)
C Iván Herrera (lower back tightness)
Expected return: After the All-Star break
Herrera was placed on the injured list on June 22, retroactive to June 19, after he felt his back tighten before the team's game at Rickwood Field. Manager Oliver Marmol said on July 2 that Herrera is doing all baseball activities, including swinging at full speed, and the hope is to send him on a rehab assignment in the next few days. Herrera hit .279 with a .718 OPS in 54 games, including a long stretch across May and June as the primary catcher with Willson Contreras on the injured list with a left arm fracture. (Last updated: July 2)
RHP Tink Hence (cramping; No. 1 on Cardinals' Top 30 Prospects list)
Expected return: July
Hence, MLB Pipeline’s No. 48 prospect and the top-ranked player in the Cardinals system, left his June 5 start after two innings because of cramping, Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said. He struck out three and threw 20 of his 35 pitches for strikes. Hence, 21, was scheduled to return to action the weekend of June 22, but that was delayed by a day or two after he was invited to visit Rickwood Field with other Cardinals prospects for the Negro Leagues tribute game. For the season, Hence is 4-2 with a 3.19 ERA and 71 strikeouts in 53 2/3 innings pitched. (Last updated: June 20)
60-DAY INJURED LIST
CF Tommy Edman (right wrist surgery)
Expected return: Mid-July
Edman, who has yet to play this season after having wrist surgery last October, sprained an ankle on June 24 while fielding ground balls. His wrist rehab was paused, but he's taking swings in St. Louis as of July 2, and manager Oliver Marmol said the plan is to have him hit a live bullpen at home then send him on a rehab assignment if all goes well.
Edman worked at the club’s Spring Training headquarters in Jupiter, Fla., and had been taking batting practice and fielding practice with the team during the last week of June in St. Louis when the ankle injury came up. Edman, who was originally expected to be ready for the start of the season, was shut down from baseball activities several times during Spring Training because of lingering pain and swelling in his right wrist. (Last updated: July 2)
RHP Riley O'Brien (right flexor tendon strain)
Expected return: TBD
O’Brien, who hasn’t pitched since straining his right forearm on Opening Day against the Dodgers, is expected to throw a bullpen on July 3, per manager Oliver Marmol. He underwent more testing on the condition of the flexor tendon in his right forearm in mid-June, and the scans, which came back clear, were sent to surgeon Dr. Keith Meister for evaluations.
O’Brien, who made the Opening Day roster after starring out of the bullpen in Spring Training, was shut down from pitching in games throughout April, May and some of June before throwing a live batting practice session (20 pitches) in Springfield during the last week of June.
Forearm pain returned for O’Brien following that outing, necessitating further testing and the consultation with Dr. Meister, who conducted the UCL “brace” surgery on Cardinals utility standout Brendan Donovan last fall. A “brace” procedure repairs and stabilizes the ulnar collateral ligament as opposed to a full replacement of the ligament, allowing for a shorter rehabilitation time. (Last updated: July 2)
LHP Steven Matz (lower back strain)
Expected return: August
Matz, who has been on the injured list since May 3, retroactive to May 1, with lingering back pain, was shut down for a second time after feeling more back tightness following his most recent Minor League start for Double-A Springfield on June 16. Matz struck out five and didn’t allow a hit over three innings pitched, but he experienced more back pain on June 17 and was told to refrain from baseball activities for two weeks.
That shutdown means that Matz will have to restart his throwing program again, meaning he is likely out for four to six weeks, manager Oliver Marmol said.
Matz, who signed a four-year, $44 million free-agent deal prior to the 2022 season, was 1-2 with a 6.18 ERA in six starts this season for the Cardinals. His 2022 and 2023 seasons in St. Louis were both marred by shoulder, knee and lat injuries. (Last updated: June 27)
RHP Keynan Middleton (right forearm flexor surgery)
Expected return: 2025
Middleton will undergo season-ending right flexor repair surgery, manager Oliver Marmol said on June 4.
“In order for him to have any shot of being ready for 2025, it’s the best option, so his season will be over,” Marmol said.
After spending several weeks rehabilitating and strengthening his forearm, Middleton recently made five appearances and compiled a 2.25 ERA for Double-A Springfield. However, pain returned in the forearm following relief appearances on May 22-23. He was transferred to the 60-day IL on June 22. (Last updated: June 22)
LHP Drew Rom (left shoulder surgery)
Expected return: September
Rom, who was acquired last July in a trade with the Orioles, underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder that might allow him to return later this season, manager Oliver Marmol said. Marmol dubbed the procedure as “a best-case scenario,” and is hopeful Rom can return in the fall.
Rom, 24, made three starts in Spring Training before being put on the injured list with shoulder trouble. He was later moved to the 60-day IL.
After being acquired in the trade centered around Jack Flaherty, Rom made his MLB debut in 2023 with the Cardinals. In eight starts, Rom was 1-4 with an 8.06 ERA. His first MLB win was over the Orioles in Baltimore. (Last updated: May 9)