Nathan

Church

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.

Church not only hit the ball over the fence twice, but he robbed Mitch Garver of his own as well. The 25-year-old has homered four times on the season, and more than held his own as a regular to open the season. His roster spot seemed to be in jeopardy with Lars Nootbaar not far from a return, but it’s hard to imagine this version gets sent down.

Church’s homer off Chris Paddack was his second of the year. He’s batting .231/.281/.365, and he doesn’t project to get a whole lot better than that. The Cardinals are treating him as their best option in left field against right-handers, but they still might send down Thomas Saggese and give Bryan Torres or Cesar Prieto a look there before Lars Nootbaar returns.

The rookie now has his first steal of the season to go along with six RBI and seven runs scored. He’s slashing just .205/.238/.308 on the season, so he doesn’t belong on fantasy radars yet, but he showed good batting averages and speed in the minors so perhaps he works his way into the discussion.