The Cardinals have been hit by more pitches than any other team in MLB in 2026. They lost outfielder Nathan Church on Wednesday when he was plunked in the left shin.
ST. LOUIS -- A Cardinals’ club hit by an MLB-most 28 pitches this season suffered a serious scare on Wednesday when blossoming rookie outfielder Nathan Church was drilled in the shin by a pitch from Milwaukee Brewers' right-hander Brandon Sproat.
Church, who has been on the surprises of the season with his five home runs, 16 RBI and three stolen bases, suffered a shin contusion after being hit by Sproat after he had squared around to bunt. Church underwent X-rays on the shin, but no fractures or structural damage was shown.
Clearly in pain after the hit by pitch in the bottom of the second inning, Church fired his bat back toward the dugout and angrily spiked his arm guard to the ground. Church needed an extended period to recover from the hit and ultimately stayed in the game.
Church left the game before the top of the fourth inning and was replaced by Jose Fermin.
Cards are MLB leaders in hit by pitches
Eight Cardinals players have been hit by pitches this season, led by MLB leader Ivan Herrera, who has been plunked eight times. Rookie sensation JJ Wetherholt has been hit seven times from the leadoff spot, while Ramon Urias has been plunked four times. Church has now been hit by pitches twice.
Cardinals’ players have been hit by pitches 28 times, three more times than the Angels (25). The Miami Marlins are the next closest team on the hit by pitch list with 21.
The Church injury comes one day after the Cardinals had to put their first position player on the 10-day Injury List for 2026. Reserve infielder Ramon Urias was placed on the 10-day IL with right elbow lateral epicondylitis on Tuesday. The injury, commonly known as "tennis elbow" is expected to shelve Urias for multiple weeks.
Thomas Saggese, who was optioned to Triple-A Memphis on Monday in hopes of getting him more consistent playing time, was recalled before ever leaving St. Louis. Saggese, exclusively an infielder in the past, but someone who has worked to expand his defensive duties to the outfield, will be used to back up Nolan Gorman at third base and he can fill in in left field if Church has to miss time with his shin injury.
With Lars Nootbaar likely out until the end of May following surgeries on both heels, Church made the Opening Day roster and has been a defensive revelation in left field for the Cardinals. Known primarily for his strong throwing arm, Church has flashed a strong glove and has robbed three potential home runs this season. His first robbery came on Opening Day and another took away a homer from Seattle’s Mitch Garver. Last week in Pittsburgh, Church reached above the short wall in left field and took away what would have been a game-winning, walk-off homer from Nick Martinez.
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