Overview
- Nootbaar, who opened a Low-A rehab stint Friday with Palm Beach, launched an opposite-field home run on his first swing against Daytona at Roger Dean Stadium.
- Manager Oliver Marmol said the outfielder is making steady progress and that the staff felt good about how his first game would go.
- The Cardinals expect his activation to come after May 24, the first day he is eligible to leave the 60-day injured list, so he can build game speed through a simulated Spring Training.
- He had surgeries in October to fix Haglund’s deformities, which are bony growths on the heels that caused pain and limited motion, after a 2025 season with career lows in OPS and slugging.
- Team officials plan to assess his readiness and role once he completes the rehab work, with the goal of getting a healthier, more productive version back in the majors.