10-Day IL
Injury Groin
Est. Return 8/25/2025
2025 Stats
AVG
.279
HR
9
RBI
45
R
57
SB
3
Rest-of-Season Projections
2025 Fantasy Outlook
After a flexor tendon issue limited him to just 95 games in 2023, Donovan stayed healthy in 2024, reaching career highs in games (153) and plate appearances (652). That helped lead to career bests in home runs, RBI and runs, too, although the 28-year-old's .759 OPS and 115 wRC+ were both low-water marks. It was due mainly to Donovan's walk rate falling for the second year in a row down to 7.2 percent, which is below average and a far cry from the 12.8 percent mark he had as a rookie. He still had a solid .342 OBP thanks to an elite contact rate keeping his average up, but the Cardinals moved away from Donovan as their regular leadoff man in June and Masyn Winn grabbed that gig. Because he's not a standout in any statistical category, Donovan really needs a prime spot in the batting order to elevate his standing in fantasy leagues. Read Past Outlooks
Signed a one-year, $2.85 million contract with the Cardinals in February of 2025.
Lands on IL with groin strain
The Cardinals placed Donovan on the 10-day injured list Monday with a left groin strain.
Analysis
The Cardinals played a man short over the weekend with the hope that Donovan would be ready to return to the lineup early this week. However, he was ultimately not able to show enough improvement to avoid a stint on the IL. Donovan's IL placement is retroactive to Friday, so he will be eligible for activation Aug. 25. Thomas Saggese should continue to see the bulk of the playing time at second base in Donovan's stead.
The Cardinals played a man short over the weekend with the hope that Donovan would be ready to return to the lineup early this week. However, he was ultimately not able to show enough improvement to avoid a stint on the IL. Donovan's IL placement is retroactive to Friday, so he will be eligible for activation Aug. 25. Thomas Saggese should continue to see the bulk of the playing time at second base in Donovan's stead.
Batting Stats
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2025 MLB Game Log
2025
2024
2023
2022
Minor League Game Log
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Batting Order Slot Breakdown
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
31
41
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
14
1
16
3
2
Left/Right Batting Splits
Since 2023
+29%
OPS vs RHP
2025
+36%
OPS vs RHP
| OPS | PA | HR | RBI | AVG | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Since 2023vs Left | .630 | 414 | 2 | 29 | .241 | ||||
| Since 2023vs Right | .814 | 1085 | 32 | 123 | .294 | ||||
| 2025vs Left | .603 | 157 | 2 | 12 | .221 | ||||
| 2025vs Right | .823 | 319 | 7 | 33 | .307 | ||||
| 2024vs Left | .671 | 194 | 0 | 16 | .259 | ||||
| 2024vs Right | .797 | 458 | 14 | 57 | .286 | ||||
| 2023vs Left | .570 | 63 | 0 | 1 | .236 | ||||
| 2023vs Right | .831 | 308 | 11 | 33 | .294 | ||||
| More Splits→ | View More Split Stats | ||||||||
| Minor League Splits→ | View Minor League Split Stats | ||||||||
Home/Away Batting Splits
Since 2023
+1%
OPS at Home
2025
+14%
OPS on Road
| OPS | PA | HR | RBI | AVG | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Since 2023Home | .767 | 755 | 18 | 83 | .276 | ||||
| Since 2023Away | .759 | 744 | 16 | 69 | .283 | ||||
| 2025Home | .704 | 250 | 4 | 23 | .262 | ||||
| 2025Away | .801 | 226 | 5 | 22 | .297 | ||||
| 2024Home | .789 | 314 | 7 | 38 | .288 | ||||
| 2024Away | .731 | 338 | 7 | 35 | .268 | ||||
| 2023Home | .813 | 191 | 7 | 22 | .275 | ||||
| 2023Away | .760 | 180 | 4 | 12 | .294 | ||||
| More Splits→ | View More Split Stats | ||||||||
Stat Review
How does Brendan Donovan compare to other hitters?
This section compares his stats with all batting seasons from the previous three seasons (minimum 400 plate appearances)*. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that stat and it would be considered average.
* Exit Velocity and Barrels/PA % are benchmarked against 2019 data (min 400 PA) and Hard Hit Rate is benchmarked against last season's data (min 400 PA). See here for more exit velocity/barrels stats plus an explanation of current limitations with that data set.
* Exit Velocity and Barrels/PA % are benchmarked against 2019 data (min 400 PA) and Hard Hit Rate is benchmarked against last season's data (min 400 PA). See here for more exit velocity/barrels stats plus an explanation of current limitations with that data set.
BB/K
0.63BB Rate
8.4%K Rate
13.2%BABIP
.307ISO
.123AVG
.279OBP
.348SLG
.402OPS
.750wOBA
.331Exit Velocity
89.8 mphHard Hit Rate
31.4%Barrels/PA
6.3%Expected BA
.293Expected SLG
.460Sprint Speed
23.3 ft/secGround Ball %
43.1%Line Drive %
21.0%Fly Ball %
35.9%Prospect Rankings History
Advanced Batting Stats
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Additional Stats
Games By Position
Defensive Stats
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Batted Ball Stats
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Stats Vs Upcoming Pitchers
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2024
2023
Donovan worked last offseason on tweaking his setup at the plate, standing more upright while attempting to pull the ball in the air more often. It seemed to mostly work, as he upped his flyball rate from 23.6 percent to 30.3 percent and his pull rate from 35.5 percent to 41.3 percent. The result was Donovan more than doubling his home run total, but unfortunately he played only 95 games before needing season-ending flexor tendon surgery. The new, more aggressive approach meant fewer walks for Donovan, but because he remained elite at making contact and also hit the ball harder, he boasted an xBA in the 91st percentile. Donovan is expected to recover from elbow surgery in time for Opening Day and seems like a good bet to hit either first or second in the Cardinals' lineup.
More Fantasy News
Will be held out again Monday
The Cardinals intend to hold Donovan (toe) out of the lineup for a fourth straight contest Monday in Miami, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Analysis
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Out for another game
Donovan (foot/groin) is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Yankees.
Analysis
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Idle Saturday
Donovan (foot) is out of the lineup for Saturday's game against the Yankees.
Analysis
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Scratched with injury
Donovan was scratched from the lineup ahead of Friday's game against the Yankees due to a foot injury, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
Analysis
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Back in lineup Tuesday
Donovan (groin) is back in the lineup and batting leadoff Tuesday against the Rockies.
Analysis
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Not expected to be traded
The Cardinals have received trade interest in Donovan but are expected to keep him, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
Analysis
The Yankees, Dodgers, Astros and Phillies are among the teams to have been connected to Donovan and teammates Lars Nootbaar and Alec Burleson, but it sounds like the Cardinals don't intend to part with any of the trio. Donovan made his first All-Star team this season and is slashing .285/.358/.416 with nine home runs. He's under team control through 2027.
The Yankees, Dodgers, Astros and Phillies are among the teams to have been connected to Donovan and teammates Lars Nootbaar and Alec Burleson, but it sounds like the Cardinals don't intend to part with any of the trio. Donovan made his first All-Star team this season and is slashing .285/.358/.416 with nine home runs. He's under team control through 2027.