Cardinals’ Lars Nootbaar exits game after fouling ball off groin


Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar fouled a ball into a place that no one wants to be hit during Wednesday’s 8-0 loss to the Athletics. 

Nootbaar, 25, was up in the bottom of the fifth against starter Paul Blackburn at Busch Stadium when he fouled an 0-1 pitch into the ground and it ricocheted into his groin area.

The outfielder crumpled to the ground in pain almost immediately before a team trainer could come out to attend to him. 

Nootbaar remained in the game for the rest of the at-bat and struck out, but he was replaced in the middle of the sixth inning by Jose Fermin.

The team announced that Nootbar left with what they called a lower abdomen contusion.

Nootbaar was being checked out by doctors, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reported.


Cardinals center fielder Lars Nootbaar rolls on the field after a foul ball bounces back up and hits him between the legs.
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Nootbaar finished the game 1-for-3 as Cardinals eventually fell to the lowly Athletics.

It has been a year of disappointments for St. Louis, which is now 54-67 and tied for last in the National League Central. 

Despite the Cardinals’ struggles this season, Nootbaar has had a strong season outside of his painful night.


St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Lars Nootbaar (21) agonizes in pain as he talks to St. Louis Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol (37) and the trainer during a game between the Oakland Athletics and the St. Louis Cardinals on August 16, 2023
Cardinals center fielder Lars Nootbaar agonizes in pain as he talks to manager Oliver Marmol and the trainer.
Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

His .835 OPS and 3.2 wins above replacement (according to Fangraphs) are both good for second on the team.

The Cardinals begin a four-game home series against the Mets on Thursday.



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