The St. Louis Cardinals announced prior to Sunday’s game that rookie outfielder Nathan Church has been selected from the Memphis (AAA) roster, and left-handed pitcher Anthony Veneziano has been recalled from Memphis. The team also announced that outfielder Victor Scott II has been placed on the 10-day injured list (left ankle sprain) and pitcher Roddery Muñoz has been optioned to Memphis (AAA).
Church, the Cardinals 11th round draft selection in 2022 out of UC-Irvine, will be making his Major League debut, while Veneziano (pronounced vuh-NEE-zee-ah-no), who was claimed off waivers from Miami on August 4, will be making his first appearance with the Cardinals.
The left-handed hitting Church has excelled this season with both Springfield (AA) and Memphis (AA), batting a combined .329 to lead the Cardinals organization while ranking 4th with his .910 OPS, including 13 home runs and 50 RBI. Church, 25, was named Texas League (AA) Player of the Month for May.
Following his promotion to Memphis on June 3, Church has posted a .335 batting average (ranked 3rd in the International League) and has belted 7 HR’s with 30 RBI in his 53 games.
Currently ranked as the Cardinals 10th best prospect by Baseball America, Church has been cited as the “Best Defensive Outfielder” in the organization and for having the “Best Outfielder Arm” by Baseball America.
Veneziano, 27, has compiled a career mark of 1-0 with a 3.93 ERA in 38 games pitched with Kansas City (2023-24) and Miami (2024-25). He appeared in 10 games for Miami this season (1-0, 3.10 ERA), striking out 12 in 11.1 IP. Veneziano was unscored upon in his three games (4.0 IP) pitched for Memphis.
A New Jersey native, Veneziano was drafted by Kansas City in the 10th round in 2019 out of Coastal Carolina University and debuted with the Royals on Sept. 26, 2023.
Church, who will become the third Cardinals player to debut this season, has been assigned uniform no. 27 and Veneziano will wear no. 67.
The new players will join the Cardinals on the road as they face the Miami Marlins. First Pitch at LoanDepot Park in Miami is scheduled for 5:40 Monday evening. The game can be heard on KTLO AM 1240 with pregame coverage by Ameren Total Access scheduled for 4:45.
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