ALL-STAR BRENDAN DONOVAN'S CAREER YEAR DISRUPTED BY FOOT INJURY WITH THE CARDINALS
Brendan Donovan, the St. Louis Cardinals' All-Star second baseman, has been battling injuries this 2025 season, with a lingering toe injury and subsequent left groin strain impacting his performance and availability.
Before the toe injury on June 11, Donovan was performing at an All-Star level, boasting a .310 average, .379 OBP, and .819 OPS. However, after the injury, his numbers took a nosedive, dropping to a .234 average, .305 OBP, and .653 OPS.
The toe injury seems to have affected Donovan's motion, leading to the groin strain. As of late August, Donovan remains sidelined with soreness from the groin strain and has not progressed beyond light cage work. There is no clear timetable for his return, causing ongoing uncertainty for the team.
In Donovan's absence, utility infielder Thomas Saggese has taken over his usual keystone position. The injuries have undeniably hampered one of the Cardinals' best players this season, contributing to inconsistencies for the team amid a season where they have also dealt with other player absences and roster shake-ups.
The Cardinals need the best version of Donovan, not 60% of himself production-wise, to help their on-field success. Donovan provided offensive leadership and defensive value for the Cardinals before his injuries. As his production fell off, so did the Cardinals' season.
It's unclear whether the Cardinals made a mistake not putting Donovan on the injured list much sooner to potentially resolve this issue. The decision to place Donovan on the injured list is likely due to the new groin injury.
This isn't the first time Donovan has faced significant injuries. In the summer of 2023, he suffered a season-ending flexor strain that required surgery. Despite these setbacks, Donovan continues to be a valuable asset for the Cardinals when healthy.
References:
- St. Louis Post-Dispatch
- MLB.com
- The Athletic
- ESPN
- Sports Illustrated
