St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar has two nondisplaced rib fractures from falling into a wall after trying to make a twisting, turning catch in a spring training game, and it's unclear whether he will be ready for the season opener March 28.
John Mozeliak, the team's president of baseball operations, said Friday that scans revealed the fractures.
Nootbaar, the expected starting left fielder, has been sidelined since getting hurt Saturday.
"He has to get to the point where he is pain-free," Mozeliak said. "He has to get to the point where -- and this could take 10 to 14 days -- where he won't have any traumatic injury to that area. You won't see him playing in the field because you don't want to see him diving."
Mozeliak said Nootbaar can swing as tolerable, but won't be in the field for the next two weeks "because you don't want him diving."
Nootbaar played in 117 games for St. Louis last season, his third with the team. He hit .261 with 14 home runs, 46 RBIs and 74 runs.
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.