ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Outfielder Lars Nootbaar was involved in a salary arbitration hearing with the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday, advocating for a salary of $2.95 million, while the organization proposed a lower amount of $2.45 million.

The arbitration panel, consisting of Janice Johnston, Allen Ponak, and John Stout, reviewed the arguments presented but will withhold their ruling until they address the case of fellow Cardinals player Brendan Donovan, who is also awaiting a decision.

Last season, Nootbaar recorded a batting average of .244, hitting 12 home runs and driving in 45 runs, all while earning $761,000. This marks his first time being eligible for arbitration.

In addition, fellow players are also scheduled for arbitration hearings, including Cardinals pitcher Andre Pallante, Washington Nationals first baseman Nathaniel Lowe, and Los Angeles Angels infielder Luis Rengifo, with hearings continuing until February 14.

To date, teams have successfully argued in three out of four arbitration cases. The teams defeated New York Yankees reliever Mark Leiter Jr., who sought $2.05 million but was awarded only $2.5 million, Pittsburgh pitcher Dennis Santana, who was offered $1.4 million over his request of $2.1 million, and Pirates pitcher Jovan Oviedo, who was granted $850,000 instead of his desired $1.15 million.

In a contrasting outcome, Angels outfielder Mickey Moniak successfully won his arbitration case and received $2 million, exceeding the team’s offer of $1.5 million.