Nathan

Church

Church had an RBI single in the third inning and then hit a crucial three-run home run off Angel Chivilli in the eighth inning that gave the Cardinals a two-run lead they would not relinquish. Church now has nine home runs and 35 RBI this season to go along with a .232/.280/.366 slash line.

Church did his damage as part of a seven-run seventh inning, with his 392-foot (97.5-mph EV) two-run shot off of Tyler Kinley pulling the Cardinals even at five runs apiece. That would be his only hit on the night, but it played a critical role in the comeback victory. For the season, the 25-year-old outfielder is hitting .254/.295/.410 with seven homers, 25 RBI and five stolen bases.

With left-hander Noah Cameron toeing the slab for the Royals, Nootbaar will get a breather. Fellow left-handed hitters Jimmy Crooks and Nathan Church are also out of the Cardinals’ lineup on Thursday. Nelson Velazquez will start in Nootbaar’s place in left field and will bat cleanup for the Cardinals on Thursday night in Kansas City.

Church’s first game back from the injured list after missing a little over two weeks was a good one. The 25-year-old hasn’t set the world on fire in his first season as a (mostly) full-time player, but there have been enough good moments for a 260/.294/.407 slash in 2026. He should be in center more often than not with Victor Scott II no longer on the roster, so those looking for a spark in NL-only leagues can keep Church on the radar.

Church missed a little over two weeks with his left shoulder strain. He’s up and will take over as the starter in center, with Victor Scott II heading to Triple-A Memphis to make room for Church on the active roster.

Nathan Church will presumably come off the IL to replace Scott and play center field most of the time. Scott is hitting just .194/.276/.258 with nine RBI in 184 plate appearances this season, and while his defense has been above average, it hasn’t been quite as good as last year. He needs to make some real progress offensively before getting another chance. His 24 percent strikeout rate wouldn’t be so bad if he had real power, but since he doesn’t, he needs to make quite a bit more contact.

Church had started 27 consecutive games in the outfield prior to missing Thursday’s contest with the injury. The Cardinals called up 28-year-old INF/OF Bryan Torres as a corresponding move.

The Cardinals are in need of an extra outfielder with Nathan Church expected to land on the injured list with an undisclosed issue. It’s the first trip to the big leagues for the 28-year-old outfielder. Torres has hit .336/.454/.477 with a pair of homers and 16 RBI in 166 plate appearances at the Triple-A level this season.

The Cardinals will probably have Nootbaar spend the full 20 days in the minors or at least something very close to it. Once back, he’ll probably serve as the team’s left fielder. Nathan Church could potentially slide to center if he’s still outplaying Victor Scott II at that point.

Church has homered three times in the last two games, and this one gave St. Louis a 2-1 lead in the sixth inning. He’s slugging .515 on the season, and appears to be earning regular playing time in the St. Louis outfield. It might even be time to move him up a spot or two in the order.