Cardinals reportedly option Scott with Church ready for return from IL

Despite laying down an important bunt in Sunday's sweep-securing win over the Reds, Cardinals outfielder Victor Scott II is being optioned to Triple-A Memphis, according to an initial report from KMOV’s Tamar Sher. Nathan Church (left shoulder strain) is set to be activated off of the IL in a corresponding move.

Scott, 25, was hitting just .194 with a .534 OPS this season, his third in MLB. A strong defender, Scott’s bat simply hasn’t gotten going since being billed as the Cardinals’ No. 4 prospect in 2024. He owns a career .203/.281/.285 slash line with just nine home runs.

Scott was worth 2.2 Baseball-Reference WAR in 2025, however, that was largely due to his elite defense. He posted 17 Outs Above Average, tied for seventh-most in MLB.

The outfield picture for the surprisingly strong Cardinals (35-28, second in NL Central) this season was getting tight. Lars Nootbaar returned this weekend for his season debut, and Church -- enjoying a bit of a breakout before his injury -- will join the surging Jordan Walker to roam the outfield grass. Thus, the struggling Scott was squeezed out.

Church, 25, was hitting .247/.282/.390 with five home runs in his rookie campaign after appearing in 27 games a year ago. After a three-game rehab assignment at Triple-A, he’ll rejoin the Cardinals as they travel to New York to face the Mets on Tuesday, the beginning of a road trip that also includes this weekend’s series against the Twins.