Highlights
- The D-backs acquired outfielder Lars Nootbaar from the Cardinals just before the 2026 trade deadline.
- Nootbaar spent the better part of the last year recovering from surgery on both feet and says his numbers this season aren't where he wants them.
- He reunites with close friend and former Cardinals teammate Nolan Arenado in Arizona.
- Arizona currently holds a Wild Card spot heading into the final stretch of the season.
The Arizona Diamondbacks added outfielder Lars Nootbaar just before the 2026 trade deadline, acquiring him from the St. Louis Cardinals as the club pushes to hold its Wild Card position through the season's final stretch, MLB.com and The Athletic both reported.
Nootbaar was introduced to the media Tuesday at Chase Field. He spent the better part of the last year working his way back from surgery on both feet, and by his own account his numbers this season haven't matched his expectations. He said the change of scenery is exactly what he needed.
"It is almost perfect timing," Nootbaar said. "I am not satisfied with how it is going, and I get a little scenery change now. I am running with a team that is right now holding a Wild Card spot. It is exciting because it is all team ball from this point forward."
The transition carries a personal dimension: Nootbaar reunites with Nolan Arenado, one of his closest friends and a former Cardinals teammate of six seasons. He noted he hadn't yet crossed paths with Arenado in the clubhouse, calling the delay typical of his friend.
Nootbaar is already familiar with Chase Field from his time with St. Louis. He recalled watching the D-backs rally from a seven-run deficit against the Cardinals and said that resilience is part of what makes Arizona a team he wanted to join rather than face.
The D-backs' next home series begins this week.
Sources
Every factual claim in this article traces to one of the sources below. See how we work for the editorial process.
- mlb.com retrieved 05/08/2026 03:18
- nytimes.com retrieved 05/08/2026 03:18
- AZ Family (3TV/CBS5) retrieved 05/08/2026 03:18
Authored by The Scottsdale Signal. Drafted by AI from primary-source material under our beat-specific editorial guides; reviewed by humans before publish under our five-gate process. Sources retrieved at 05/08/2026 03:18. Every claim traces to a source.
