Depth Tested Early

The Cardinal Chronicle
The Trainer’s Table
St. Louis, MO — By Ray Mileur

The Cardinals enter the opening stretch of the 2026 season managing a handful of injuries that impact both the major league roster and upper-level pitching depth. While none of the current situations appear catastrophic, several names on this list will play a meaningful role in how the season unfolds — particularly on the mound.

Here’s where things stand heading into Tuesday:

Major League Impact

• Lars Nootbaar (OF)

Still working his way back from offseason surgery on both heels (Haglund’s deformity). The move to the 60-day IL confirms what many suspected — this is a long play, not a quick turnaround.

He has resumed light running, but the real test will be how those heels respond to baseball activity — cutting, accelerating, and everyday wear.

Outlook: Late May evaluation feels realistic, but June is the safer expectation. This one requires patience.

 
Rotation Watch / Near-Term Return

• Hunter Dobbins (RHP)

Recovering from ACL reconstruction last July, but trending in the right direction. He’s built up arm strength through the spring and is set to begin a rehab assignment with Memphis.

The remaining hurdle isn’t the arm — it’s mobility. Covering first base, fielding his position, and trusting the knee in live action.

Outlook: If the rehab assignment goes clean, early April is very much in play. Could factor into the rotation sooner than later.

 
Pitching Depth — Longer Timelines

• Zack Thompson (LHP) - Working back from shoulder/lat issues following 2025 surgery. He’s progressing through a throwing program but remains well behind game readiness.

Outlook: This has the feel of a midseason return — June or July — assuming no setbacks.

• Tekoah Roby (RHP) - Elbow concerns have shut him down, and the lack of updates tells you everything you need to know.

Outlook: Uncertain at best. There’s a growing sense that 2026 could be largely lost.

• Sem Robberse (RHP) - Another arm dealing with elbow trouble, and like Roby, timelines remain vague.

Outlook: Depth piece for now, but availability in 2026 is very much in question.

• Brandon Clarke (LHP) - Still recovering from prior arm issues and not expected to be game-ready until later in the season.

Outlook: June remains the working target, but this is more about long-term stability than rushing him back.

 
The Bigger Picture

There’s no panic here — but there is pressure.

The Cardinals’ pitching depth is already being tested before we even get through the first turn of the rotation. Names like Dobbins matter, not just as reinforcements, but as potential stabilizers.

On the position player side, Nootbaar’s absence lingers quietly in the background. He’s not just a bat — he’s energy, presence, and lineup balance.

 
Old School Take

You don’t win seasons in April… but you can lose your footing if your depth doesn’t hold.

Right now, this club is walking a fine line — not wounded, but not at full strength either. The next 30–45 days will tell us whether this is simply early-season maintenance… or the beginning of a test of organizational depth.

 
The Cardinal Chronicle
Preserving the Past, Promoting the Present, and Projecting the Future.