Cardinals outfielder Victor Scott II lands on the injured list
The St. Louis Cardinals are dealing with yet another injury blow, but it also means a brand-new face is stepping onto the big stage. With Cardinals outfielder Victor Scott II heading to the injured list, 25-year-old outfielder Nathan Church has been called up from Triple-A Memphis and will make his MLB debut in the series finale against the New York Yankees. That’s right — the kid gets thrown right into the fire.
Scott II was injured on this play:
Now let’s talk about what this means. Losing Scott hurts — no two ways about it. The second-year outfielder was struggling a bit at the plate lately, carrying a .222 average with five home runs, 34 RBIs, and a .621 OPS through 115 games. But here’s the thing: Scott’s glove and speed kept him in the lineup. He wasn’t just good in centerfield; he was playing Gold Glove-level defense. Add in 31 stolen bases — while only being caught twice — and you’ve got a guy who changes games even when the bat is cold. That kind of production doesn’t just get replaced overnight.
How Bad is it for the Injured Victor Scott II?
So how big is this setback? Well, it puts his Gold Glove case in jeopardy and leaves the Cardinals without one of their most electric defenders. And remember, St. Louis is already without Brendan Donovan, Willson Contreras, and Nolan Arenado. That’s a lot of firepower — and leadership — sitting on the shelf.
Enter Nathan Church. The young outfielder has been grinding in the minors, and now he gets his shot under the bright lights of Busch Stadium against one of baseball’s biggest rivals. It’s a golden opportunity to show the Cardinals’ front office and fans what he can bring as they start evaluating for 2026 and beyond. Can he flash enough with the bat and glove to stake a claim to a roster spot next year? That’s the storyline to watch.
Sure, losing Victor Scott II stings — but this is also how new chapters begin. And for Nathan Church, the story starts now.
