Brendan Donovan

Fantasy News

• Mariners' Brendan Donovan: Likely to play third base

  Rotowire Feb 5, 2026

  The Mariners tentatively plan for Donovan to be their primary third baseman in 2026 but will move him around the diamond based on matchups, Daniel Kramer of MLB.com reports. Cole Young is the favorite to start at second base, though if Colt Emerson outplays him in spring training, the Mariners could go with Emerson at third base and Donovan at second. Donovan is also expected to bat leadoff against both righties and lefties. Acquired from the Cardinals in a trade earlier this week, Donovan sported a .287/.353/.422 batting line with 10 home runs and 32 doubles over 118 contests last season.

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• Mariners' Brendan Donovan: Bound for Seattle

  Rotowire Feb 2, 2026

  The Mariners acquired Donovan from the Cardinals on Monday as part of a three-team deal involving the Rays, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports. The Cardinals will receive Jurrangelo Cijntje and Tai Peete from the Mariners and Colton Ledbetter and a compensatory draft pick from the Rays. Ben Williamson will go to Tampa Bay. Second base is Donovan's primary position, but he is also an option to see playing time at third base for Seattle and is a good bet to bat leadoff. Donovan slashed .287/.353/.422 with 10 homers over 118 contests for the Cardinals in 2025 and is under team control through the 2027 campaign.

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• Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: Avoids arbitration with Cardinals

  Rotowire Jan 8, 2026

  The Cardinals and Donovan avoided arbitration by agreeing to a one-year, $5.8 million contract Thursday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. Donovan finished the 2025 season with a .287/.353/.422 batting line, 10 home runs and 32 doubles over 118 contests. He's a strong candidate to be traded before Opening Day, but if that doesn't happen, Donovan will open 2026 as the Cardinals' primary second baseman. He underwent abdominal surgery in October but is fully recovered.

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• Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: Undergoes sports hernia surgery

  Rotowire Oct 17, 2025

  Donovan underwent surgery Oct. 7 to repair a sports hernia, John Denton of MLB.com reports. 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.

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• Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: Likely done for season

  Rotowire Sep 26, 2025

  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 Donovan is banged up, tending to general soreness and a groin injury. Now that the Cardinals are eliminated from the postseason, the club has no incentive to put him on the lineup card over the final few games. While Donovan is idle, look for Nolan Gorman or Jose Fermin to handle second base duties. Donovan will likely end the season with a .287/.353/.422 slash line, 10 home runs, 50 RBI and 64 runs in 515 plate appearances.

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• Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: Idle Friday

  Rotowire Sep 26, 2025

  Donovan is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Cubs. Donovan has been battling general soreness and a minor groin injury this week, and he'll get the day off Friday to rest. In his place, Nolan Gorman will bat fifth and play second base.

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• Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: Four doubles in win

  Rotowire Sep 24, 2025

  Donovan went 4-for-5 with four doubles, one RBI and one run scored in Tuesday's 9-8 win over the Giants. Donovan missed Monday's game due to groin tightness, but he was able to get cleared in time to play Tuesday. He played a vital role in the Cardinals' offense in this game with the quartet of two-baggers. He's up to 31 doubles on the year, which is three shy of his career-high total from 153 games last season. Donovan has added a .287/.354/.421 slash line with 10 home runs, 49 RBI, 63 runs scored and three stolen bases over 117 contests in 2025.

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

  Rotowire Sep 23, 2025

  Donovan (groin) isn't in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Giants, John Denton of MLB.com reports. The Cardinals expected Donovan to return to the starting nine Tuesday after he was scratched Monday with a groin injury, but he'll instead take another day to recover while Jose Fermin starts at the keystone. With just five games left on the regular-season schedule and St. Louis flirting with elimination from postseason contention, the Cardinals may opt to shut Donovan down for the rest of the year if his condition doesn't improve soon.

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• Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: Activated from 10-day IL

  Rotowire Sep 12, 2025

  The Cardinals activated Donovan (groin) from the 10-day injured list Friday, John Denton of MLB.com reports. Donovan missed just under a month of action with a left groin strain, but he's ready to go after playing two rehab games with Double-A Springfield. The 28-year-old will regain his role as the Cardinals' everyday second baseman, which will likely push Thomas Saggese back to the bench most days.

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• Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: Could be activated this weekend

  Rotowire Sep 9, 2025

  Donovan (groin) will begin a rehab assignment with Double-A Springfield on Tuesday and could be activated from the 10-day injured list for this weekend's series in Milwaukee, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports. Donovan took live batting practice Monday without issue and is slated to play six innings at second base in his first rehab game with Springfield on Tuesday. He will play at least one additional rehab game after that, and, if all goes well, might be back in the Cardinals lineup for their series opener Friday against the Brewers. Donovan has been sidelined since mid-August with a left groin strain.

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• Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: Lands on IL with groin strain

  Rotowire Aug 18, 2025

  The Cardinals placed Donovan on the 10-day injured list Monday with a left groin strain. 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.

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• Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: Scratched with injury

  Rotowire Aug 15, 2025

  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. Donovan missed a few games earlier in the week due to groin soreness, which reportedly was a direct result of his injured foot. Manager Oliver Marmol said there's a chance the 28-year-old's foot ends up keeping him sidelined for multiple days, but he doesn't seem ticketed for the injured list at the moment.

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• Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: Delivers clutch hit off bench

  Rotowire Aug 11, 2025

  Donovan (groin) recorded a two-RBI double in a pinch-hit appearance Monday against the Rockies. Donovan was called upon in the bottom of the eighth inning and put his club ahead with a clutch double. The 28-year-old hadn't taken an at-bat since Friday due to a left groin injury, but if he emerges from Monday's matchup feeling healthy, there's a chance he could return to the starting lineup Tuesday.

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• Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: Returns to Cardinals' lineup

  Rotowire Aug 4, 2025

  Donovan (personal) will start at second base and bat leadoff in Monday's game versus the Dodgers. Donovan had to be scratched from Sunday's lineup against the Padres due to a family emergency, but he has rejoined the Cardinals and is ready to go for Monday's series opener in Los Angeles. The All-Star has been scuffling at the plate lately, going 2-for-26 over his last 30 plate appearances.

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• Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: Late scratch Sunday

  Rotowire Aug 3, 2025

  Donovan was scratched from the lineup for Sunday's game against the Padres due to a family emergency, John Denton of MLB.com reports. Donovan was penciled in atop the lineup for the series finale in San Diego, but he'll instead be unavailable while he address a personal matter. It's unclear if the situation will affect his availability beyond Sunday's contest.

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• Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: Leads off game with long ball

  Rotowire Jun 29, 2025

  Donovan went 1-for-2 with a solo home run, two walks, two total runs and two total RBI in Saturday's 9-6 victory versus the Guardians. Donovan set the tone for the high-scoring matchup when he led off the contest with a 391-foot homer. The versatile veteran added a sacrifice fly in the sixth inning while also drawing multiple free passes for just the third time this season. Donovan has been slumping of late, batting just .158 (6-for-38) over his past 10 games, but he's still hitting a strong .302 on the campaign.

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• Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: Swats homer in victory

  Rotowire Jun 24, 2025

  Donovan went 1-for-4 with a two-run home run in Monday's 8-2 win over the Cubs. The Cardinals slugged four two-run homers off Chicago starter Ben Brown, with Donovan's coming in the fifth frame. It was a rare show of power by the utility man, as he had gone 17 games without hitting a long ball and has just five homers on the campaign. Nonetheless, Donovan has been a key part of the Cardinals' offense this season, slashing .307/.375/.437 with 29 RBI, 42 runs scored and three stolen bases through 71 games.

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• Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: Sitting out first game of day

  Rotowire Jun 19, 2025

  Donovan is not in the lineup for the first game of Thursday's doubleheader versus the White Sox. The Cardinals will go with Nolan Gorman at second base in the first game of the twin bill. Donovan should be back in the lineup for the second game of the day.

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• Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: Four hits Tuesday

  Rotowire Jun 18, 2025

  Donovan went 4-for-5 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored in Tuesday's win over the White Sox. Donovan paced the Cardinals in hits on a night they put up 12 runs. He's having a breakout campaign on offense and currently leads National League second basemen in numerous hitting categories. For the season, he's slashing .323/.388/.451 with four homers, 27 RBI, 38 runs, three steals and a 22:39 BB:K in 287 plate appearances.

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• Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: Expected back Sunday

  Rotowire Jun 14, 2025

  Donovan (toe) expects to return to the lineup Sunday versus the Brewers, John Denton of MLB.com reports. Donovan took batting practice and fielded ground balls Saturday and was pain-free afterward. He will wear a carbon-fiber orthotic in his shoe in the short term, but it appears that he will avoid a stint on the injured list after missing the past four games.

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