The long-awaited return of Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar finally came ahead of the series opener against the Cincinnati Reds. He was back in the lineup and hitting in the leadoff spot Friday.听
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Lars Nootbaar, left, greets teammate JJ Wetherholt in the dugout with a splash of water after Wetherholt hit the first home run of his major league career in the third inning during the opening day game against the Rays at Busch Stadium in 最新杏吧原创 on Thursday, March 26, 2026.
最新杏吧原创 Post-Dispatch Cardinals beat writer Daniel Guerrero joined columnist Lynn Worthy to talk about the Cardinals latest tough stretch, Riley O鈥橞rien鈥檚 recent struggles, and Lars Nootbaar鈥檚 pending return.
The 最新杏吧原创 Cardinals begin series with the Cincinnati Reds at Busch
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals players Alec Burleson, left, and Jordan Walker celebrates a win on Friday June 5, 2026, against the Cincinnati Reds at Busch Stadium in 最新杏吧原创.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals pitcher Hunter Dobbins, right, talks with pitching coach Dusty Blake on Friday June 5, 2026, before going in for the ninth inning of a game against the Cincinnati Reds at Busch Stadium in 最新杏吧原创.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals pitcher Hunter Dobbins massages his throwing arm on Friday June 5, 2026, before going in for the ninth inning of a game against the Cincinnati Reds at Busch Stadium in 最新杏吧原创.
Cardinals battery Jimmy Crooks, left, and pitcher Hunter Dobbins bump fists at the top of the fifth inning听Friday, June 5, 2026,听against the Reds at Busch Stadium in 最新杏吧原创.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals runner Alec Burleson is congratulated by teammate Jimmy Crooks on Friday June 5, 2026, after scoring for the fourth time on a single by Jose Fermin in the sixth inning of a game against the Cincinnati Reds at Busch Stadium in 最新杏吧原创.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals runner Lars Nootbaar is congratulated by teammate Alec Burleson on Friday June 5, 2026, after scoring on a hit by Iv谩n Herrera in the sixth inning of a game against the Cincinnati Reds at Busch Stadium in 最新杏吧原创.
Cardinals base runner Lars Nootbaar scores after a hit by Ivan Herrera in the sixth inning Friday, June 5, 2026,听against the Reds at Busch Stadium in 最新杏吧原创.
The Cardinals' Lars Nootbaar celebrates from second base after hitting a double to score Victor Scott II in the sixth inning Friday, June 5, 2026,听against the Reds at Busch Stadium in 最新杏吧原创.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals batter Jimmy Crooks strikes out on Friday June 5, 2026, in the sixth nning of a game against the Cincinnati Reds at Busch Stadium in 最新杏吧原创.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals batter Jordan Walker celebrates from second base on Friday June 5, 2026, after hitting a double to score Alec Burleson in the fifth inning of a game against the Cincinnati Reds at Busch Stadium in 最新杏吧原创.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals pitcher Hunter Dobbins watches the flight of a hit on Friday June 5, 2026, by Cincinnati Reds batter JJ Bleday in the fifth inning of a game at Busch Stadium in 最新杏吧原创.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals battery Jimmy Crooks, left, and pitcher Hunter Dobbins bump fists on Friday June 5, 2026, after ending one side of the fifth inning of a game against the Cincinnati Reds at Busch Stadium in 最新杏吧原创.
Cardinals first baseman Alec Burleson is congratulated by teammates in the dugout Friday, June 5, 2026, after hitting a home run in the third inning of a game against the Reds at Busch Stadium.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals batter Jordan Walker makes his own safe signal on Friday, June 5, 2026, after beating out a ground ball for a hit in the third inning of a game against the Cincinnati Reds at Busch Stadium in 最新杏吧原创.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals batter Alec Burleson gestures as he rounds the bases on Friday, June 5, 2026, after hitting a home run in the third inning of a game against the Cincinnati Reds at Busch Stadium in 最新杏吧原创.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals Alec Burleson is congratulated by first base coach Stubby Clapp on Friday June 5, 2026, as he rounds the bases after a home run in the third inning of a game against the Cincinnati Reds at Busch Stadium in 最新杏吧原创.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals Alec Burleson is congratulated by teammates on Friday June 5, 2026, after scoring in the first inning of a game against the Cincinnati Reds at Busch Stadium in 最新杏吧原创.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals batter Nolan Gorman strikes out on Friday June 5, 2026, to end the first inning of a game against the Cincinnati Reds at Busch Stadium in 最新杏吧原创.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals pitcher Kyle Leahy recovers on Friday June 5, 2026, after giving up runs in the first inning of a game against the Cincinnati Reds at Busch Stadium in 最新杏吧原创.
Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar reaches base safely Friday, June 5, 2026, as Reds first baseman Sal Stewart leaps for a high throw in the first inning of a game at Busch Stadium.
Cincinnati Reds runner Blake Dunn crosses home as the second run on Friday June 5, 2026, as St, Louis Cardinals catcher Jimmy Crooks stands by in the first inning of a game against the Cincinnati Reds at Busch Stadium in 最新杏吧原创.
Cardinals outfielders, from left, Victor Scott II, Lars Nootbaar and Jordan Walker trot in after beating the Reds on Friday, June 5, 2026, at Busch Stadium in 最新杏吧原创.
最新杏吧原创 Cardinals pitcher Kyle Leahy throws on Friday June 5, 2026, in the first inning of a game against the Cincinnati Reds at Busch Stadium in 最新杏吧原创.
