The St. Louis Cardinals fully committed to a rebuild this offseason, trading away veteran talent in exchange for younger pieces with long-term upside. While that approach signals a brighter future, it also comes with short-term growing pains—especially as injuries begin to pile up.
One of the biggest developments involves top prospect JJ Wetherholt, who is now expected to step in as the team’s everyday second baseman following the departure of Brendan Donovan. To make room for Wetherholt on the 40-man roster, the Cardinals moved Lars Nootbaar to the 60-day injured list.
Nootbaar sidelined long-term
Nootbaar’s placement on the 60-day IL confirms he’ll miss a significant chunk of the season. After undergoing surgery for bilateral Haglund’s deformity—a procedure to remove painful bone growths in both heels—his recovery timeline stretches into late May at the earliest, since the 60-day clock begins on Opening Day.
Given the extended absence and his name previously surfacing in trade discussions, expectations for Nootbaar’s impact in 2026 are now quite limited. His absence opens the door for younger outfielders like Jordan Walker and Joshua Baez, who will now have increased opportunities and scrutiny.
More injury concerns on the mound
Nootbaar isn’t the only Cardinal dealing with injury issues. Pitcher Hunter Dobbins has also been placed on the 15-day injured list as he continues rehab from ACL reconstruction.
Dobbins, acquired in an offseason trade with the Boston Red Sox, is expected to compete for a rotation spot once healthy. Fortunately for St. Louis, his absence is projected to be shorter-term compared to Nootbaar’s.
A challenging start to a rebuilding year
While the Cardinals’ youth movement—highlighted by Wetherholt—offers optimism for the future, the early injury setbacks underscore the challenges of a transitional season. With key contributors sidelined, the spotlight now shifts to the organization’s young core to prove they can handle expanded roles as the rebuild takes shape.
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