Cardinals activate Lars Nootbaar from injured list ahead of Reds series

St. Louis activated outfielder Lars Nootbaar from the 60-day injured list on Friday, clearing him to start in left field for the Cardinals' opening game of a weekend series against the Cincinnati Reds. Nootbaar, 28, underwent surgery on both heels during the offseason and had not appeared in a major-league game this season.

234 batting average, 13 home runs and 48 runs batted in.

Rehab performance In his final rehab game with Triple-A Memphis on Wednesday, Nootbaar hit a solo home run and went 2 for 5 with a walk, four RBI and two runs scored in an 18-4 win over Louisville. Over 12 games on the 20-day assignment he hit three home runs, posted a .409 on-base percentage and a .543 slugging percentage, and drew nine walks while striking out six times.

Roster moves The Cardinals also optioned infielder Thomas Saggese to Triple-A Memphis and recalled right-handed pitcher Matt Svanson from the same club. The team placed reliever Ryan Fernandez on the 15-day injured list with low back pain, retroactive to June 2.