Lane Thomas optioned to Triple-A Memphis, Bernado Flores Jr. DFA’d
Detroit, Mich., – The St. Louis Cardinals announced today that they have selected rookie outfielder Lars Nootbaar (NOOT-bahr) from Memphis (AAA). Outfielder Lane Thomas was optioned to Memphis (AAA) and left-handed pitcher Bernardo Flores, Jr., has been designated for assignment.
Nootbaar, 23, was the Cardinals eighth round selection (243rd overall) out of the University of Southern California in 2018. He was recently activated from the minor league 7-day injured list with a right hand injury that kept him out from May 28-June 13.
The left-handed slugger was batting .329 with five home runs and 17 RBI over 29 games in Memphis. With 79 at-bats, Nootbaar does not qualify for the Triple-A East leaders, but would rank 4th in batting and on-base percentage (.430). Sporting a rifle arm in the outfield, in 2019 Nootbaar ranked T-2nd among Cardinals minor league outfielders and T-7th in all of Minor League Baseball with 16 assists. This season, Nootbaar has appeared at all three outfield positions without committing an error in 44 total chances.
Thomas was batting .104 with two stolen bases and an RBI in 32 games in St. Louis. Flores is 2-2 with a 5.74 ERA in 31.1 innings at Memphis.
Nootbaar has been assigned uniform No. 68 and will be active for tonight’s game in Detroit.
