Cardinals update injuries, move Lars Nootbaar rehab to Springfield

The Cardinals updated several injury and roster items on Thursday, May 28, with official team and MLB sources showing progress for Nathan Church, Lars Nootbaar and Ramón Urías, along with a bullpen move.

Church received a positive doctor visit on May 26 and is set to begin a strengthening and swing progression, according to MLB's Cardinals injury tracker. The update gives him a clearer path toward baseball activity, though the team has not announced a timetable for his return.

Nootbaar's rehab assignment was transferred to Double-A Springfield on May 26, and MLB's Springfield coverage said he played his first rehab game there on May 27. He went 1-for-1 with a double in that game, another sign that his recovery is moving forward.

Urías remains on the road back from right elbow lateral epicondylitis. The injury tracker says he has progressed to dry swings and plyometric work, but he has not yet reached the throwing stage that would signal the next step in his return.

On the transaction side, St. Louis recalled right-hander Ryan Fernandez from Triple-A Memphis and optioned right-hander Brycen Mautz back to Memphis on May 26. The move gives the Cardinals another arm in the bullpen while they continue to manage multiple injury-related absences.

The updates leave the biggest immediate questions centered on how quickly Nootbaar can advance through Springfield, when Church can resume game action, and when Urías can begin throwing.