The St. Louis Cardinals activated catcher Ivan Herrera from the 10-day injured list before today’s contest against the Braves. This roster move coincided with outfielder Lars Nootbaar being placed on the 10-day injured list due to a left costochondral sprain, marking a significant update in the team’s lineup. The focus keyword, Lars Nootbaar injury update, becomes critical as the Cardinals manage his recovery while integrating Herrera back into action.

Herrera’s Injury History and Current Role with the Team

Ivan Herrera had been sidelined since June 19 with a Grade 2 hamstring strain, but his return within roughly a month signals encouraging progress. This marks Herrera’s second stint on the injured list this season, the first caused by left knee inflammation that kept him out throughout April and early May. Due to these injuries, Herrera’s 2025 season has been limited to 43 games, including his latest appearance serving as the designated hitter in the game against the Braves.

Despite limited playing time, Herrera has demonstrated strong offensive performance, batting .320 with a .392 on-base percentage and a .533 slugging line over 171 plate appearances, including eight home runs. To preserve his health, the Cardinals intend to reduce Herrera’s workload behind the plate, relying on him primarily as a designated hitter for the remainder of the season.

Potential New Defensive Role for Herrera

In a new development, Cardinals beat writer Derrick Goold reported that Herrera has undergone some outfield workouts, suggesting the team is exploring ways to utilize him defensively beyond catching and designated hitting. Although Herrera is a career catcher who has never played outfield professionally, his limited experience in winter ball at first base adds to his versatility.

However, Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol tempered expectations for Herrera’s outfield role. He explained,

we’re going to see what that looks like. We know catching is a stressor. We want to do whatever allows him to stay healthy all the way through, and if we feel at any point that it’s strictly DH, then it’s well worth it to keep his bat in the lineup and give him days off when we need the flexibility of moving someone into that spot.

—Oliver Marmol, Cardinals Manager

Lars Nootbaar’s Injury Status and Impact on the Lineup

Outfielder Lars Nootbaar will begin a full 10-day stint on the injured list due to a sprain in the left costochondral area, where the ribs connect to the costal cartilage. Although painful, this injury is less severe than an oblique strain, which Nootbaar has suffered previously. He endured two separate stints on the injured list in 2024 related to an oblique strain and a rib contusion, leaving this latest setback less alarming but still concerning.

This year, Nootbaar has posted a .227 batting average with a .332 on-base percentage and .381 slugging, hitting 12 home runs across 386 plate appearances. His 104 wRC+ places him slightly above league average. A left-handed hitter, Nootbaar primarily plays left field but has contributed across all three outfield positions. His ability to stay in the lineup consistently through the early part of the season was promising given his injury history.

While Nootbaar recuperates, the Cardinals are expected to lean on Brendan Donovan, Jose Fermin, and Garrett Hampson to fill the left field position and maintain outfield depth.

What This Means for the Cardinals Going Forward

The simultaneous activation of Ivan Herrera and placement of Lars Nootbaar on the injured list reflects the Cardinals’ ongoing efforts to balance roster health and performance. Herrera’s return adds a valuable bat and potential defensive flexibility to the lineup, while the team manages Nootbaar’s recovery from a recurring rib and chest-related injury.

The Cardinals will closely monitor Herrera’s adaptation to his evolving role, especially if he takes on limited outfield duties, as preserving his health remains paramount. Meanwhile, Nootbaar’s recuperation timeline will influence how long the team relies on replacement players in the outfield, emphasizing the importance of depth during this phase of the season.