As the MLB trade deadline draws near, the St. Louis Cardinals are carefully assessing their roster and injury situation. Rather than looking to make major additions, the team appears to be focusing on getting healthy—particularly with two key players, second baseman Nolan Gorman and outfielder Lars Nootbaar, both of whom are recovering from injuries.
According to a report from Katie Woo of The Athletic, the Cardinals are optimistic that Gorman and Nootbaar could begin rehab assignments as early as next week. Still, there’s a degree of caution surrounding their recoveries.
Gorman has been out since July 13 due to inflammation in his lower back. After receiving an injection earlier in the week, he has started to resume baseball activities. This isn’t a new issue for him, as manager Oliver Marmol acknowledged that Gorman has dealt with recurring back flare-ups throughout his time with the team.
“It comes up every season at some point,” Marmol said. “We’ve just had to manage it.”
Despite the recurring nature of the injury, Gorman remains optimistic about his return. He expressed disappointment in missing the recent road trip to Arizona, especially since he had family and friends ready to watch him play in Phoenix. However, he emphasized that prioritizing his long-term health is most important.
“This is my career,” Gorman said. “I’ve got to take care of myself to keep doing this for years to come.”
Meanwhile, Nootbaar is dealing with a left costochondral sprain, which affects the cartilage that connects the ribs to the sternum. His recovery hasn’t progressed as hoped, and he’s still unable to swing without pain. John Denton of MLB.com reported that his return timeline remains uncertain, with rest and rehab yielding limited progress so far.
Due to the uncertainty surrounding their health, neither Gorman nor Nootbaar is expected to be part of any trade discussions before the deadline, even if there’s outside interest. The Cardinals plan to keep both players in St. Louis in hopes they’ll soon be healthy enough to contribute.
With recent returns from other key players like Jordan Walker and Nolan Arenado, the Cardinals are trying to stabilize their lineup. But any serious turnaround will likely depend on Gorman and Nootbaar getting back on the field and staying there through the second half of the season.
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