Donovan, Cardinals player, out of the game against Cubs due to groin strain
St. Louis Cardinals Shuffle Lineup Due to Brendan Donovan's Injury
Brendan Donovan, the All-Star second baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals, was scratched from the lineup on August 15, 2025, due to a lingering injury. Manager Oliver Marmol announced that Donovan is dealing with left foot soreness, an issue that has also caused him groin tightness recently.
Since injuring his left big toe capsule on June 10, Donovan's performance has notably declined. He has batted .234 over 46 games post-injury, compared to a .279 average for the full season. With nine home runs and 45 RBIs, Donovan still leads the Cardinals with 115 hits this season. However, his nagging foot issue has led to missed games in early August due to groin soreness correlated to the foot injury.
The Cardinals have had to adjust their lineup frequently in the second half of the 2025 season due to injuries and roster moves. On August 15, Thomas Saggese started at second base for the Cardinals against the Chicago Cubs, while Lars Nootbaar took over the leadoff spot. Initially, Donovan was scheduled to bat leadoff and play second base on August 15, but the team's decision to scratch him was for precautionary reasons.
The Cardinals currently have a 61-61 record amid ongoing challenges, and Donovan's absence is just one of many injuries affecting the team's postseason push. Other key players, like Willson Contreras, are also out due to injuries.
Donovan was chosen as an All-Star for the first time this season as a reserve. Despite his recent struggles, his impact on the Cardinals' lineup and offensive production cannot be understated. The team will hope for a speedy recovery for Donovan to regain his form and help the Cardinals in their pursuit of a playoff spot.
[1] St. Louis Cardinals Official Website [2] MLB.com [3] ESPN [4] CBS Sports [5] Fox Sports
[1] In light of Brendan Donovan's injury-related absence, the St. Louis Cardinals have made some adjustments to their sports roster, with Thomas Saggese taking on the second base position and Lars Nootbaar assuming the leadoff spot, a position that Donovan previously held.
[2] As the St. Louis Cardinals continue their baseball season, they are faced with numerous challenges due to various injuries, including the absence of their All-Star second baseman, Brendan Donovan, who is nursing a lingering left foot injury that has also caused groin tightness recently.
