Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: Perfect at plate in victory
Rotowire
Donovan went 4-for-4 with a double, two runs and an RBI in Monday's 8-3 win over Houston.
The Astros were unable to get Donovan out Monday, as he reached base in all four of his trips to the plate. It was the fourth time this season that the utility man has gotten at least three hits in a game, and he's off to a hot start with the bat, logging a .391/.420/.563 slash line through 69 plate appearances. Donovan is also in the midst of a 10-game hitting streak, during which he's batted a scorching .513 (20-for-39) with eight RBI.
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Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: Doubles twice in loss
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Donovan went 3-for-4 with two doubles, two RBI, a run scored and a walk in the second game of Sunday's doubleheader against Boston. He went 1-for-2 with a run scored in Game 1.
Donovan did not start the first game of the doubleheader but subbed in and collected a hit. He made a much bigger impact in Game 2, knocking RBI doubles in the first and ninth innings, though it wasn't enough to match Boston's 18-run outburst. Donovan has produced three multi-hit performances this season and is now slashing .333/.375/.556 with four extra-base hits and eight RBI through nine games.
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Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: Out of lineup for matinee
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Donovan is out of the lineup for the first game of Sunday's doubleheader against the Red Sox, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
Donovan started the first eight contests of the season and batted .267 (8-for-30) with two homers and six RBI, but he'll take a seat for the opener of the twin bill. Prospect Thomas Saggese will man the keystone and bat seventh in the matinee.
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Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: Homers, drives in three in loss
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Donovan went 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBI in Friday's 13-9 loss to the Red Sox.
Donovan launched a solo homer off Walker Buehler in the fifth inning and then added RBI singles in the seventh and ninth frames. The 28-year-old is off to a solid start in 2025, hitting .267 with two home runs, six RBI and four runs scored across 33 plate appearances.
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Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: Hits first-ever homer off lefty
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Donovan hit his first career home run off a left-handed pitcher Monday, taking Tyler Anderson deep in the Cardinals' loss to the Angels.
Donovan entered the contest homerless in 335 career plate appearances versus southpaws before hitting one out off Anderson in his first trip to the dish Monday. It was his only hit in five plate appearances. Donovan batted third in the Cardinals' first three games versus righties before hitting sixth against a southpaw Monday.
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Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: Slated to hit third in opener
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Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Monday that he plans to start Donovan at second base and bat him third in Thursday's opener against the Twins, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Marmol indicated that the Cardinals' lineup for Monday's exhibition game versus Triple-A Memphis -- which features Donovan in the three spot -- is the same setup he is planning for Opening Day. It's a favorable RBI spot for Donovan, who will bat behind Lars Nootbaar and Willson Contreras.
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Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: Will see some reps at shortstop
Rotowire
Donovan will start at shortstop for the Cardinals when Masyn Winn has a day off, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.
Winn's off days will be few and far between, but since the Cardinals aren't carrying a traditional backup shortstop on the roster, Donovan is poised for some reps there. Donovan does have some limited experience at shortstop, having made seven starts there in his career but just one over the last two seasons. It opens up the possibility of Donovan gaining additional position eligibility in fantasy. He will enter the season with eligibility at second base and the outfield and could add shortstop and third base to the list.
Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: In line for super utility role
Rotowire
Donovan is expected to assume a super utility role this season for the Cardinals, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.
Had the club been able to trade Nolan Arenado, it was prepared to play Nolan Gorman at third base and give Donovan the lion's share of reps at second base. The keystone might still be where Donovan plays most, but Gorman will also receive starts there, with Donovan seeing plenty of action in left field, as well, particularly on days Lars Nootbaar plays center field. Donovan is also capable of handling third base, first base and shortstop.
Cardinals' Brendan Donovan: Gets $2.85M salary for 2025
Rotowire
Donovan will earn $2.85 million in 2025 after losing his arbitration case Wednesday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.
Arbitration-eligible for the first time, Donovan had been hopeful to work out a multi-year extension with the Cardinals this offseason, but the two sides couldn't come to an agreement before the Jan. 9 deadline. He then filed for a $3.3 million salary for 2025, but he'll ultimately have to settle for $450,000 less than that amount after losing his case. The lack of an extension shouldn't affect Donovan's standing in the organization, as he's still expected to serve as a near-everyday player in 2025 after slashing .278/.342/.417 with a career-high 14 home runs and 73 RBI over 652 plate appearances last season.
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