Nathan Church -- Injury Report

Cardinals outfielder Nathan Church was hit by a pitch on the foot from Brewers starter Brandon Sproat in the second inning of Wednesday's contest and subsequently exited the game in the fourth inning, replaced by José Fermín in left field. Church, 25, had been performing well recently after a slow start to the 2026 season. Since April 21, he has posted a .283/.291/.566 slash line with a .857 OPS, 4 home runs, 10 RBIs, and 3 doubles over 13 games. Overall on the season, Church entered the day with a .248/.278/.436 slash line, 5 homers, 16 RBIs, 3 stolen bases, and 4 doubles across 32 games. The injury is particularly significant as the Cardinals had already placed Ramón Urías on the Injured List earlier in the week. Should Church require extended time off, the Cardinals have contingency options in José Fermín and Thomas Saggese, who both made the club out of spring training. Additionally, prospects Nelson Velázquez and Joshua Báez, the team's No. 3 prospect, are available at Triple-A. Saggese was demoted to Triple-A earlier this week before being recalled when Urías went to the injured list.

Cardinals rookie outfielder Nathan Church was hit by a 97.5 mph fastball from Brewers starter Brandon Sproat on his left leg during the second inning of Wednesday's game at Busch Stadium. After being checked by the team's manager and trainer, Church demonstrated his toughness by jogging down the right field line twice to show he could run on the injured leg. He initially remained in the game, running the bases and playing defense through the top of the third inning. However, the injury tightened up in the following minutes, and Church was replaced by José Fermín in left field at the start of the fourth inning. The team announced the injury as a left leg contusion. Church has been a regular starter in left field this season with multiple home run robberies credited to his name in 2026, filling in for mainstay left fielder Lars Nootbaar, who continues recovery from offseason double heel surgery. Nootbaar is expected to begin a lengthy rehab assignment as early as next week.

Nathan Church, a Cardinals rookie outfielder, was struck in the left shin by a pitch from Brewers right-hander Brandon Sproat in Wednesday's game. X-rays confirmed no fractures or structural damage, though Church suffered a shin contusion. He initially remained in the game despite visible pain but was replaced before the top of the fourth inning.

The incident adds to the Cardinals' MLB-leading 28 hit-by-pitch incidents in 2026, three more than the second-place Angels. Eight Cardinals players have been affected, with catcher Ivan Herrera leading all of baseball at 8 hit-by-pitch incidents. Leadoff hitter JJ Wetherholt has been plunked 7 times, and Church's hit was his second of the season.

Church had emerged as a bright spot for the Cardinals this season despite the team's injury challenges. The rookie has recorded 5 home runs, 16 RBIs, and 3 stolen bases while playing excellent defense in left field, including 3 home run robberies. His potential absence comes as the team deals with other injuries: Ramon Urias was placed on the 10-day IL with tennis elbow, and outfielder Lars Nootbaar is expected to remain out through May following heel surgeries. The Cardinals recalled infielder Thomas Saggese to provide backup coverage at third base and left field.