BRENDAN DONOVAN NEWS

Return to field still uncertain Donovan's (arm) return to playing the field remains unclear following a visit with an arm specialist in Dallas on Thursday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Impact Donovan has been limited to designated hitter duty for the entirety of July because of a right flexor strain. He'll be shut down from throwing for at least another two weeks and it's not clear when, or if, he'll be allowed to play defense again this season. "I don't have a direction we want to go yet," Donovan said. "We're just kind of figuring out the direction he wants us to go." Donovan didn't play Thursday while traveling for his doctor's visit and isn't starting Friday versus a lefty but should be able to DH sometime over the weekend.

JULY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting versus southpaw Donovan is not in the starting lineup Friday versus the Cubs, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

Impact Donovan will take a seat as the Cardinals face off with southpaw Justine Steele on Friday. Jose Fermin will draw the start at second base and bat ninth as St. Louis attempts to extend their win streak to seven straight.

JULY 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Again in no-throw mode Donovan will be shut down from throwing for at least another two weeks due to renewed arm irritation, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Impact Donovan had been aiming to return to his usual super-utility role shortly after the All-Star break, but his arm did not respond well to a recent throwing program and he'll continue to be limited to DH and pinch-hitting duties. He is out of the Cardinals' starting lineup for Thursday's series opener against the Cubs but should be back in the designated hitter role Friday.

JULY 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

On bench Thursday Donovan is not in the lineup Thursday against the Cubs.

Impact Donovan continues to be limited to DH duties because of arm fatigue, and the Cardinals will roll with Paul Goldschmidt in that spot Thursday as Alec Burleson handles first base. Donovan is expected to be able to return to the field sometime early next week.

JULY 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Homers in Tuesday's win Donovan went 1-for-4 with a solo home run and a walk in Tuesday's 5-2 extra-inning win over the Marlins.

Impact Donovan tied the game at 1-1 with his sixth-inning solo shot. The utility man is still about a week away from returning to the field while battling an arm injury. It's had little impact on his hitting -- Donovan has gone 15-for-41 (.366) with three homers and 10 RBI over 11 contests in July. He's up to a .285/.372/.433 slash line with 11 homers, 34 RBI, 41 runs scored and four stolen bases through 85 games. Donovan should remain as the designated hitter until he returns to the field.

JULY 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Week away from playing field Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Monday that Donovan (arm) is still about a week away from being cleared to play the field, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Impact Donovan resumed some throwing drills over the weekend as he works his way back from a right arm issue, but he'll remain limited to designated hitter duty for a while longer. It hasn't affected him at the plate, as the 26-year-old is sporting a 1.047 OPS so far in July.

JULY 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

On bench versus southpaw Donovan will sit Monday against the Marlins, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Impact Donovan will get a breather as St. Louis takes on left-hander Jesus Luzardo on Monday. Willson Contreras will slot in at designated hitter while Ivan Herrera enters the lineup behind the plate and bats seventh in the series opener with Miami.

JULY 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Drives in five Saturday Donovan went 2-for-8 with a home run, a triple, five RBI and two runs scored across both halves of Saturday's doubleheader versus the Nationals.

Impact Donovan supplied a game-tying homer after play resumed from Friday's suspended contest. In the nightcap, he added a two-run triple in the second inning. The versatile 26-year-old has been hampered by an arm injury lately, which has limited him to designated hitter, but his bat has been too good to come out of the lineup. He's gone 12-for-33 (.364) over nine contests since he was cleared to return as the DH. Donovan is slashing .282/.367/.411 with nine home runs, 29 RBI, 38 runs scored and four stolen bases through 83 games this season.

JULY 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Plays catch Saturday Donovan played catch on the field with a trainer Saturday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Impact Donovan has been dealing with an arm injury that has limited him to DH since late June. It's unclear how soon Donovan will return to fielding duties, but Saturday is a good sign of progress. Despite his injury, Donovan is slashing .400/.423/.520 through 26 plate appearances in July.

JULY 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Limited to DH work Donovan is dealing with an arm injury that is limiting him to designated hitter duties Friday against the National, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Impact He is in the midst of a throwing program, and the hope is that he can return to the field soon. There isn't as much of a time crunch for Donovan with Tommy Edman (wrist) and Tyler O'Neill (back) on the injured list, although O'Neill is due back soon.

JULY 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Out of Sunday's lineup Donovan is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the White Sox, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Impact The 26-year-old has been limited to serving as St. Louis' designated hitter over the past week while dealing with arm pain, though he's still found plenty of success at the plate with a 1.004 OPS in his last eight contests. Donovan is scheduled to start a throwing program during the All-Star break, per Jones, though it'll likely be at least a couple more weeks before he's potentially cleared to play in the field.

JULY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Another three-hit game Donovoan went 3-for-5 in Friday's 8-7 loss to the White Sox.

Impact Donovan has a trio of three-hit efforts over his first five games in July. He remains stuck at designated hitter due to a no-throw program to mitigate his arm soreness. His bat's been too hot to keep out of the lineup despite the minor injury. Donovan owns a strong .289/.375/.415 slash line with nine home runs, 26 RBI, 37 runs scored and four stolen bases over 79 contests.

JULY 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Posts three-hit effort Donovan went 3-for-5 in Wednesday's 10-9 loss to the Marlins.

Impact Donovan racked up three singles while serving as the designated hitter, as arm soreness will prevent him from playing the field until after the All-Star break. The 26-year-old's hitting hasn't been negatively impacted -- he's 10-for-18 over his last five games. His defensive versatility usually helps to keep him in the lineup, so it's unclear how often he'll be in the lineup over the next four days before the break. He's slashing a steady .288/.378/.419 through 77 contests this season.

JULY 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

At leadoff Wednesday Donovan (arm) is serving as the Cardinals' designated hitter and batting leadoff Wednesday versus the Marlins.

Impact Donovan will be on a no-throw program through the All-Star break as he battles through some arm pain, but he's able to swing the bat without issue and will function as the Cardinals' tablesetter Wednesday in Miami. Nolan Gorman is covering second base and batting sixth.

JULY 5, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

On no-throw program Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Tuesday that Donovan will be on a no-throw program through the All-Star break due to arm pain, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Impact Donovan is out of the Cardinals' lineup for a second straight game Tuesday against the Marlins and will be limited to DH and pinch-hitting duties when he does play. The hope is that the versatile 26-year-old can get back into the field later this month, maybe even right after the All-Star break. There's no word of any structural damage in his right (throwing) arm.

JULY 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting against left-hander Donovan is not in the lineup for Tuesday's game in Miami, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Impact The Cardinals are facing a left-hander for the second day in a row, but Donovan has now sat out four of the last five contests while dealing with an arm issue. However, there's been no indication to this point that it could be an injured list stint situation.

JULY 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Idle versus lefty Donovan is out of the lineup for Monday's game against the Marlins.

Impact Donovan previously sat out both ends of a doubleheader Saturday against the Yankees while battling an arm injury, but he returned to the lineup for Sunday's 5-1 win over New York and went 3-for-4 with a home run. The Cardinals haven't indicated that he suffered a setback during that contest, so the lefty-hitting Donovan's absence from the lineup Monday likely has more to do with the fact that the Marlins are bringing southpaw Braxton Garrett to the hill.

JULY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Homers as part of three hit day Donovan went 3-for-4 with a two-run homer in Sunday's win over the Yankees.

Impact Donovan returned to the leadoff spot after not appearing in Saturday's doubleheader and picked up right where he left off with his second home run in his last three games. The 26-year-old has cemented himself as the Cardinals' leadoff hitter against righties, and has rightfully earned it, as he's slashing .325/.428/.513 with six homers, 15 RBI, 19 runs and a 15:15 BB:K in his last 32 games after struggling to get going in April and the large majority of May.

JULY 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Rejoins lineup as DH Donovan (arm) is batting leadoff as the designated hitter Sunday against the Yankees, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatchreports.

Impact The 26-year-old didn't make an appearance during Saturday's doubleheader while contending with right arm soreness, but he'll return to the lineup for Sunday's series finale. Donovan is coming off a strong June, during which he had a .307/.402/.443 slash line with three doubles, three home runs, 11 RBI and 12 runs in 23 games.

JULY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Out again Donovan (arm) remains out for the second game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Yankees.

Impact Donovan was scratched from Friday's lineup with arm soreness --the game was ultimately postponed -- and has missed both games of Saturday's doubleheader. The team announced he wouldn't be able to field a position for a few days, though he was expected to be available to serve as the designated hitter.

JULY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sitting for afternoon game Donovan (arm) is on the bench for the first game of Saturday's doubleheader against the Yankees, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Impact Donovan was expected to sit Friday due to arm soreness, though the game wound up getting rained out. He'll be out for at least the afternoon portion of Saturday's twin bill, but his injury only prevents him from throwing, so he could still serve as a designated hitter or pinch hitter at some point in one of the day's two games. Nolan Gorman starts at second base.

JULY 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Won't throw for next few days Donovan (arm) will not be able to throw for the next few days, but he will be available to hit and serve as a designated hitter, Katie Woo of The Athleticreports.

Impact Donovan was scratched from Friday's lineup due to soreness in his right arm, and the infielder has reportedly been dealing with the issue for a while. Donovan could be back in the starting lineup as the DH for the Cardinals starting Saturday, but fantasy GMs will want to make sure to see if he's back in the lineup.

JULY 1, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Dealing with arm soreness Donovan was scratched from Friday's lineup due to right arm soreness, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Impact Donovan has reportedly been dealing with arm soreness for a while, and it seems to have gotten to a point where he needs to get it checked out. He's scheduled to undergo imaging soon, at which point more details regarding the severity of his injury will be available. For now, fantasy managers should consider Donovan day-to-day.

JUNE 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Scratched from lineup Donovan was scratched from the Cardinals' lineup ahead of Friday's game against the Yankees.

Impact It's unknown why Donovan was taken out of the Cards' lineup, but more information will likely be available relatively soon. Dylan Carlson will now enter St. Louis' lineup and bat eighth.

JUNE 30, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Solo home run in loss Donovan went 2-for-4 with a solo homer and two runs scored in Wednesday's 10-7 loss to the Astros.

Impact Donovan notched his eighth multi-hit game across 22 June appearances, slashing .310/.408/.452 during that stretch. It's been a mixed bag for Donovan thus far, as he was solid to start the year but hit a rough patch in May. It's encouraging to see him back on track in June, and the 26-year-old should continue getting regular looks at second base, even against left-hander starters.

JUNE 29, 2023 • ROTOWIRE