Out
Injury Groin
Est. Return 2/1/2026
2025 Stats
AVG
.287
HR
10
RBI
50
R
64
SB
3
2026 Projections
2026 Fantasy Outlook
Donovan got off to a terrific start last season, slashing .329/.390/.469 with four home runs and three stolen bases through the first two months. He then suffered a turf toe injury in early June that nagged at him, and a groin strain in the second half was blamed on compensating for the toe issue. The 29-year-old wound up hitting a pedestrian .251/.321/.381 over the final four months before eventually being shut down late in the year after the groin issue resurfaced. Donovan then had offseason surgery to repair a sports hernia. His final numbers in 2025 were right in line with his career norms, but it's fair to wonder if injury prevented Donovan from his best offensive season. Even if that were the case, Donovan is mostly a batting average specialist for fantasy purposes, as he doesn't run and his power is limited. Read Past Outlooks
Signed a one-year, $2.85 million contract with the Cardinals in February of 2025.
Undergoes sports hernia surgery
Donovan underwent surgery Oct. 7 to repair a sports hernia, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
Analysis
Donovan had dealt with a nagging groin issue for much of the second half before eventually being shut down. Last week's operation should not affect his availability for the beginning of spring training, barring any setbacks. Donovan made his first All-Star team in 2025, finishing with a .287/.353/.422 batting line, 10 home runs and 32 doubles over 118 contests.
Donovan had dealt with a nagging groin issue for much of the second half before eventually being shut down. Last week's operation should not affect his availability for the beginning of spring training, barring any setbacks. Donovan made his first All-Star team in 2025, finishing with a .287/.353/.422 batting line, 10 home runs and 32 doubles over 118 contests.
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
38
41
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
15
1
16
3
2
Left/Right Batting Splits
Since 2023
+30%
OPS vs RHP
2025
+39%
OPS vs RHP
| OPS | PA | HR | RBI | AVG | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Since 2023vs Left | .634 | 426 | 2 | 30 | .244 | ||||
| Since 2023vs Right | .824 | 1112 | 33 | 127 | .297 | ||||
| 2025vs Left | .614 | 169 | 2 | 13 | .230 | ||||
| 2025vs Right | .853 | 346 | 8 | 37 | .315 | ||||
| 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
Even Split
2025
+16%
OPS on Road
| OPS | PA | HR | RBI | AVG | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Since 2023Home | .771 | 774 | 18 | 85 | .279 | ||||
| Since 2023Away | .771 | 764 | 17 | 72 | .286 | ||||
| 2025Home | .720 | 269 | 4 | 25 | .272 | ||||
| 2025Away | .834 | 246 | 6 | 25 | .303 | ||||
| 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
8.2%K Rate
13.0%BABIP
.315ISO
.135AVG
.287OBP
.353SLG
.422OPS
.775wOBA
.341Exit Velocity
89.7 mphHard Hit Rate
31.8%Barrels/PA
6.8%Expected BA
.285Expected SLG
.443Sprint Speed
23.3 ft/secGround Ball %
42.6%Line Drive %
20.8%Fly Ball %
36.5%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
2025
2024
2023
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.
More Fantasy News
Likely done for season
Donovan is expected to play only in an emergency during the Cardinals' final series of the season against the Cubs, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports
Analysis
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Idle Friday
Donovan is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Cubs.
Analysis
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Four doubles in win
Donovan went 4-for-5 with four doubles, one RBI and one run scored in Tuesday's 9-8 win over the Giants.
Analysis
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Late addition to lineup
Donovan (groin) will start at second base and bat leadoff Tuesday against the Giants, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
Analysis
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Not in Tuesday's lineup
Donovan (groin) isn't in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Giants, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
Analysis
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Mets showing interest
The Mets, Dodgers and Yankees are among the teams showing interest in trading for Donovan, Jon Morosi of MLB Network reports.
Analysis
The Dodgers and Yankees have been connected to Donovan previously, but this is the first reported interest from the Mets. Morosi also lists the Phillies and Astros as potential suitors. With his versatility, Donovan, who underwent sports hernia surgery in October but is expected to be healthy for spring training, is a fit virtually anywhere, and he's also affordable as he's projected to earn around $5 million in 2026 and has a final year of arbitration eligibility in 2027.
The Dodgers and Yankees have been connected to Donovan previously, but this is the first reported interest from the Mets. Morosi also lists the Phillies and Astros as potential suitors. With his versatility, Donovan, who underwent sports hernia surgery in October but is expected to be healthy for spring training, is a fit virtually anywhere, and he's also affordable as he's projected to earn around $5 million in 2026 and has a final year of arbitration eligibility in 2027.