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.
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.
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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