photo: Lars Nootbaar (Brian Walton/The Cardinal Nation)
On Saturday, the St. Louis Cardinals welcomed one of their starting outfielders back from the injured list. After one rehab game with Double-A Springfield, Lars Nootbaar was activated from the 10-day injured list. This occurred prior to St. Louis’ Saturday home outing against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
In the corresponding transaction, first baseman-outfielder Juan Yepez has been optioned to Memphis. This reverses the transactions when Nootbaar was placed on the IL on April 3.
Nootbaar, 25, suffered a thumb contusion on a headfirst slide attempt on Opening Day, when he batted second and played in left field. He played in one rehab game with Double-A Springfield on Thursday in preparation for his return.
Nootbaar was in St. Louis’ Saturday lineup, batting seventh and playing in center field.
Yepez, 25, had been off to a slow start with Memphis, reaching base three times (single and two walks) in 13 plate appearances to open the season with an early slash line of .091/.231/.091/.322.
In limited action with St. Louis, 12 plate appearances, Yepez had four hits, including a home run. He slashed .333/.333/.583/.917 and should be back the next time the Cardinals have an opening in the outfield.
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