Cardinals' Crucial Updates: All-Stars Contreras & Nootbaar Inch Closer While Matz Faces Setback

St. Louis, MO — The St. Louis Cardinals find themselves navigating a choppy sea of injuries early in the season, with fans eagerly awaiting news on key players. While there’s a glimmer of hope for the return of two All-Stars, a significant setback for a veteran pitcher adds another layer of complexity to the team's roster decisions.

All-Star catcher Willson Contreras, who has been sidelined with a flexor pronator strain in his forearm, is showing encouraging signs of progress.

The team is meticulously managing his recovery, particularly focusing on his throwing mechanics. While his hitting has been less of a concern, the emphasis remains on ensuring his arm is fully healthy before a return to catching duties. Contreras has been actively participating in hitting drills and throwing lightly, signaling a cautious but steady march back to the lineup.

His presence behind the plate is sorely missed, and the Cardinals are taking no chances with their star backstop.

Outfielder Lars Nootbaar, another All-Star whose season start was delayed by an oblique strain, appears to be ahead of schedule. Initially projected for a longer absence, Nootbaar has been taking significant steps forward, including batting practice and running drills.

His recovery has been robust, sparking optimism that he could rejoin the team sooner than the initial May 1 target. Nootbaar's return would be a major boost to the Cardinals' outfield and provide much-needed offensive firepower.

However, the news isn't all positive. Left-handed pitcher Steven Matz has once again landed on the injured list, this time with a recurring back strain.

This marks a frustrating setback for Matz and the Cardinals' pitching rotation. The team has confirmed that Matz is dealing with "back irritation" and will receive an injection to alleviate the discomfort. His return timeline is currently uncertain, casting a shadow over the stability of the starting rotation.

The recurring nature of his back issues raises concerns about his long-term availability and forces the Cardinals to reassess their pitching depth.

As the Cardinals continue their season, these injury updates will be critical to their performance. The potential return of Contreras and Nootbaar could ignite the offense, but Matz's continued struggles highlight the ever-present challenge of maintaining a healthy and competitive roster in the grueling MLB season.

Fans will be watching closely for further developments on all three fronts.