Brendan Donovan has been on the 10-day injured list after a toe injury turned into a left groin strain. The St. Louis Cardinals placed the 2025 All-Star on the injured list retroactive to Aug. 15.
His rehab from the injury has been going smoothly, and Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch announced that if Donovan’s live batting practice on Monday goes smoothly, he will be in line to start a minor league rehab assignment on Tuesday.
Donovan joined third baseman Nolan Arenado on the injury report this week, both receiving good news. Arenado is hoping to begin a rehab assignment on Wednesday.
MORE: Cardinals receive encouraging injury update on Alec Burleson
What does Brendan Donovan’s potential return mean for the Cardinals?
Heading into the final three weeks of the MLB regular season, the St. Louis Cardinals will have to make a strong push for the chance of inserting their name into the 2025 postseason.
After winning their third straight series on Sunday in a matchup against the San Francisco Giants, St. Louis has climbed their way back to an even, 72-72 record. This is the first time the Cardinals have been at or above .500 since mid-August.
Brendan Donovan’s return to the lineup would give the Cardinals someone who can play at multiple positions, as the 2025 All-Star has made starts at five different positions for them this season.
It’s worth noting that Donovan was also the lone Cardinals player that we elected to the MLB All-Star game in 2025.
This season, Donovan has played in 110 games and has a .279 batting average, .348 on-base percentage, .402 slugging percentage, .750 OPS, and a 2.4 WAR while hitting nine home runs and 45 RBI.
