Fantasy News

• Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: Racks up three hits

  Rotowire Apr 13, 2024

  Donovan went 3-for-4 with a triple, one RBI and two runs scored in Friday's 9-6 win over the Diamondbacks. Donovan took a turn at designated hitter in Lars Nootbaar's first game back from a rib injury. Defensively, Donovan is better suited to play second base than Nolan Gorman, and that's likely how the Cardinals will line up against right-handed pitchers going forward. Donovan is batting .298 with two home runs, nine RBI, 10 runs scored, four doubles and a triple over 13 contests as the leadoff hitter. He's also been caught stealing on his only attempt this season.

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• Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: Back in lineup

  Rotowire Apr 6, 2024

  Donovan (elbow) is starting in left field Saturday against the Marlins, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. Donovan was hit by two pitches during Wednesday's game against the Padres, prompting a day off Thursday to recover. Now seemingly healthy, the 27-year-old super-utility man will return to the top of the Cardinals' lineup and look to stay hot after slashing .308/.438/.500 to begin the year.

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• Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: Expected back Saturday

  Rotowire Apr 4, 2024

  Donovan (elbow) is expected to return to the lineup Saturday against the Marlins, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports. Donovan was dealing with bruising and lingering pain after being hit by pitches in the elbow and bicep early in the season. He sat Thursday as a result, but he isn't expected to miss further time.

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• Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: Sitting Thursday

  Rotowire Apr 4, 2024

  Donovan (elbow) won't be in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Marlins, John Denton of MLB.com reports. Donovan was hit twice by pitches during Wednesday's loss to San Diego and had to be removed from the game after taking a sinker off his right elbow. He has played in left field most often to begin the season, so Alec Burleson and Mike Siani will likely receive an increase in playing time while Donovan is out.

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• Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: Exits game after HBP

  Rotowire Apr 3, 2024

  Donovan was removed from Wednesday's game versus the Padres after getting hit by a pitch, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports. Donovan became the fourth Cardinal to get hit by a pitch Wednesday when he took a 95-mph sinker off his elbow during the top of the eighth inning -- his second HBP of the game. He remained in to run the bases but was replaced in left field by Mike Siani before the bottom half of the frame. The severity of Donovan's injury is unknown, but getting hit by two pitches may prompt a day off Thursday versus Miami at the very least.

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• Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: Smacks homer among three hits

  Rotowire Apr 2, 2024

  Donovan went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run, a double, a walk and three total runs in a 6-2 win against the Padres on Monday. Donovan capped the scoring for St. Louis with a two-run blast to right field in the sixth inning. He added a single and a double for his first multi-hit game of the campaign. Prior to Monday, Donovan had gone just 2-for-18 with six strikeouts, but he has batted leadoff while starting in left field for each of St. Louis' five games so far, so he appears to be set in that role.

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• Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: Set for outfield reps

  Rotowire Mar 9, 2024

  Donovan is expected to get some playing time in the outfield next week, John Denton of MLB.com reports. Donovan was limited to second base early in camp, but manager Oliver Marmol is loosening the reins on his super-utility player. Once the season starts, it's unlikely Donovan will need to play right field much, but he could be valuable cover in left field, as Lars Nootbaar (ribs) is likely to miss time at the start of 2024. Donovan is still projected to see most of his playing time at second base this season, but his versatility gives Marmol options when constructing his lineup on a daily basis.

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• Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: Had UCL, not flexor, repaired

  Rotowire Feb 29, 2024

  Donovan revealed Thursday that his surgery last August was to repair a partial UCL tear in his right elbow, not the flexor tendon as had been previously reported, John Denton of MLB.com reports. Donovan did deal with a flexor strain last season, but the operation he ultimately had was an internal brace procedure to correct his UCL. The 27-year-old has been limited to second base so far in camp as the Cardinals monitor his throwing, but he's played a couple Grapefruit League games and shouldn't be under any restrictions by the time the season begins.

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• Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: Will stay at second base for now

  Rotowire Feb 19, 2024

  Donovan (elbow) will have his throwing monitored and is likely to play only second base for the time being, John Denton of MLB.com reports. Donovan had surgery last August to repair his right flexor tendon. The utility player had expressed hope last month that he wouldn't be limited at all as camp opened, but evidently the Cardinals have a more cautious plan. Donovan is likely to see most of his action at second base this season but, assuming his elbow cooperates, should play some all over the field.

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• Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: Begins throwing program

  Rotowire Nov 7, 2023

  Donovan (elbow) has begun a throwing program at the Cardinals' spring training complex in Florida, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. Donovan is coming along in his rehab after undergoing flexor tendon surgery in August. The expectation is that he will be ready to roll once spring training arrives. Donovan is expected to be a regular again for the Cardinals in 2024, although it might not necessarily be at a set position.

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• Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: Moves to 60-day IL

  Rotowire Sep 1, 2023

  The Cardinals transferred Donovan (elbow) to the 60-day injured list Friday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports. Donovan underwent season-ending surgery in August to repair the flexor strain in his right elbow, so a move to the 60-day IL was expected. His spot on the 40-man roster will be filled by Ryan Helsley (forearm), who came off the 60-day injured list Friday.

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• Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: Not in lineup Tuesday

  Rotowire Aug 1, 2023

  Donovan is not in the lineup Tuesday versus the Twins. Donovan still can't throw due to a flexor strain and Jordan Walker is taking a turn as the Cardinals' designated hitter Tuesday against Minnesota. Taylor Motter will play second base with Nolan Gorman (back) also still sidelined.

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• Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: Not starting Sunday

  Rotowire Jul 30, 2023

  Donovan is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs, John Denton of MLB.com reports. Donovan will continue to see regular rest days while limited to DH duties due to flexor strain, and he'll sit Sunday for the second time in the past three games. Paul Goldschmidt will rest his legs at designated hitter while Alec Burleson starts at first base.

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• Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: Sitting Friday

  Rotowire Jul 28, 2023

  Donovan isn't in the Cardinals' lineup Friday against the Cubs, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. After going 0-for-5 at the plate Thursday, Donovan will take a seat for the beginning of Friday's contest. Willson Contreras will take over as the Cardinals' designated hitter, allowing Andrew Knizner to start behind the dish and bat eighth.

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• Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: Not in Saturday's lineup

  Rotowire Jul 22, 2023

  Donovan remains on the bench for Saturday's game against the Cubs. Donovan hasn't taken the field since late June while dealing with a flexor strain, but he's made 10 starts as a designated hitter since then, with his 1.042 OPS indicating that the issue seemingly affects only his ability to throw, not hit. He's nonetheless been stuck on the bench for three straight days, first due to a doctor's visit and then due to a pair of matchups against southpaws. (Righty Michael Fulmer will be the first pitcher on the mound for Chicago on Saturday, but lefty Drew Smyly is expected to handle the bulk innings.) Nolan Arenado will fill the DH spot, with Jose Fermin starting at the hot corner.

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• Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: Sitting versus southpaw

  Rotowire Jul 21, 2023

  Donovan is not in the starting lineup Friday versus the Cubs, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports. Donovan will take a seat as the Cardinals face off with southpaw Justin Steele on Friday. Jose Fermin will draw the start at second base and bat ninth as St. Louis attempts to extend its win streak to seven straight.

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• Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: On bench Thursday

  Rotowire Jul 20, 2023

  Donovan is not in the lineup Thursday against the Cubs. Donovan continues to be limited to DH duties because of arm fatigue, and the Cardinals will roll with Paul Goldschmidt in that spot Thursday as Alec Burleson handles first base. Donovan is expected to be able to return to the field sometime early next week.

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• Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: Drives in five Saturday

  Rotowire Jul 16, 2023

  Donovan went 2-for-8 with a home run, a triple, five RBI and two runs scored across both halves of Saturday's doubleheader versus the Nationals. Donovan supplied a game-tying homer after play resumed from Friday's suspended contest. In the nightcap, he added a two-run triple in the second inning. The versatile 26-year-old has been hampered by an arm injury lately, which has limited him to designated hitter, but his bat has been too good to come out of the lineup. He's gone 12-for-33 (.364) over nine contests since he was cleared to return as the DH. Donovan is slashing .282/.367/.411 with nine home runs, 29 RBI, 38 runs scored and four stolen bases through 83 games this season.

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• Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: Out of Sunday's lineup

  Rotowire Jul 9, 2023

  Donovan is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports. The 26-year-old has been limited to serving as St. Louis' designated hitter over the past week while dealing with arm pain, though he's still found plenty of success at the plate with a 1.004 OPS in his last eight contests. Donovan is scheduled to start a throwing program during the All-Star break, per Jones, though it'll likely be at least a couple more weeks before he's potentially cleared to play in the field.

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• Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: Another three-hit game

  Rotowire Jul 8, 2023

  Donovoan went 3-for-5 in Friday's 8-7 loss to the White Sox. Donovan has a trio of three-hit efforts over his first five games in July. He remains stuck at designated hitter due to a no-throw program to mitigate his arm soreness. His bat's been too hot to keep out of the lineup even with the injury. Donovan owns a strong .289/.375/.415 slash line with nine home runs, 26 RBI, 37 runs scored and four stolen bases over 79 contests.

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