Out
Injury Groin
Est. Return 2/1/2026
2025 Stats
AVG
.287
HR
10
RBI
50
R
64
SB
3
Rest-of-Season Projections
2025 Fantasy Outlook
After a flexor tendon issue limited him to just 95 games in 2023, Donovan stayed healthy in 2024, reaching career highs in games (153) and plate appearances (652). That helped lead to career bests in home runs, RBI and runs, too, although the 28-year-old's .759 OPS and 115 wRC+ were both low-water marks. It was due mainly to Donovan's walk rate falling for the second year in a row down to 7.2 percent, which is below average and a far cry from the 12.8 percent mark he had as a rookie. He still had a solid .342 OBP thanks to an elite contact rate keeping his average up, but the Cardinals moved away from Donovan as their regular leadoff man in June and Masyn Winn grabbed that gig. Because he's not a standout in any statistical category, Donovan really needs a prime spot in the batting order to elevate his standing in fantasy leagues. Read Past Outlooks
Signed a one-year, $2.85 million contract with the Cardinals in February of 2025.
Undergoes sports hernia surgery
Donovan underwent surgery Oct. 7 to repair a sports hernia, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
Analysis
Donovan had dealt with a nagging groin issue for much of the second half before eventually being shut down. Last week's operation should not affect his availability for the beginning of spring training, barring any setbacks. Donovan made his first All-Star team in 2025, finishing with a .287/.353/.422 batting line, 10 home runs and 32 doubles over 118 contests.
Donovan had dealt with a nagging groin issue for much of the second half before eventually being shut down. Last week's operation should not affect his availability for the beginning of spring training, barring any setbacks. Donovan made his first All-Star team in 2025, finishing with a .287/.353/.422 batting line, 10 home runs and 32 doubles over 118 contests.
Batting Stats
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2025 MLB Game Log
2025
2024
2023
2022
Minor League Game Log
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Batting Order Slot Breakdown
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
38
41
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
15
1
16
3
2
Left/Right Batting Splits
Since 2023
+30%
OPS vs RHP
2025
+39%
OPS vs RHP
| OPS | PA | HR | RBI | AVG | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Since 2023vs Left | .634 | 426 | 2 | 30 | .244 | ||||
| Since 2023vs Right | .824 | 1112 | 33 | 127 | .297 | ||||
| 2025vs Left | .614 | 169 | 2 | 13 | .230 | ||||
| 2025vs Right | .853 | 346 | 8 | 37 | .315 | ||||
| 2024vs Left | .671 | 194 | 0 | 16 | .259 | ||||
| 2024vs Right | .797 | 458 | 14 | 57 | .286 | ||||
| 2023vs Left | .570 | 63 | 0 | 1 | .236 | ||||
| 2023vs Right | .831 | 308 | 11 | 33 | .294 | ||||
| More Splits→ | View More Split Stats | ||||||||
| Minor League Splits→ | View Minor League Split Stats | ||||||||
Home/Away Batting Splits
Since 2023
Even Split
2025
+16%
OPS on Road
| OPS | PA | HR | RBI | AVG | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Since 2023Home | .771 | 774 | 18 | 85 | .279 | ||||
| Since 2023Away | .771 | 764 | 17 | 72 | .286 | ||||
| 2025Home | .720 | 269 | 4 | 25 | .272 | ||||
| 2025Away | .834 | 246 | 6 | 25 | .303 | ||||
| 2024Home | .789 | 314 | 7 | 38 | .288 | ||||
| 2024Away | .731 | 338 | 7 | 35 | .268 | ||||
| 2023Home | .813 | 191 | 7 | 22 | .275 | ||||
| 2023Away | .760 | 180 | 4 | 12 | .294 | ||||
| More Splits→ | View More Split Stats | ||||||||
Stat Review
How does Brendan Donovan compare to other hitters?
This section compares his stats with all batting seasons from the previous three seasons (minimum 400 plate appearances)*. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that stat and it would be considered average.
* Exit Velocity and Barrels/PA % are benchmarked against 2019 data (min 400 PA) and Hard Hit Rate is benchmarked against last season's data (min 400 PA). See here for more exit velocity/barrels stats plus an explanation of current limitations with that data set.
* Exit Velocity and Barrels/PA % are benchmarked against 2019 data (min 400 PA) and Hard Hit Rate is benchmarked against last season's data (min 400 PA). See here for more exit velocity/barrels stats plus an explanation of current limitations with that data set.
BB/K
0.63BB Rate
8.2%K Rate
13.0%BABIP
.315ISO
.135AVG
.287OBP
.353SLG
.422OPS
.775wOBA
.341Exit Velocity
89.7 mphHard Hit Rate
31.8%Barrels/PA
6.8%Expected BA
.292Expected SLG
.462Sprint Speed
23.3 ft/secGround Ball %
42.6%Line Drive %
20.8%Fly Ball %
36.5%Prospect Rankings History
Advanced Batting Stats
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Additional Stats
Games By Position
Defensive Stats
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Batted Ball Stats
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Stats Vs Upcoming Pitchers
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2024
2023
Donovan worked last offseason on tweaking his setup at the plate, standing more upright while attempting to pull the ball in the air more often. It seemed to mostly work, as he upped his flyball rate from 23.6 percent to 30.3 percent and his pull rate from 35.5 percent to 41.3 percent. The result was Donovan more than doubling his home run total, but unfortunately he played only 95 games before needing season-ending flexor tendon surgery. The new, more aggressive approach meant fewer walks for Donovan, but because he remained elite at making contact and also hit the ball harder, he boasted an xBA in the 91st percentile. Donovan is expected to recover from elbow surgery in time for Opening Day and seems like a good bet to hit either first or second in the Cardinals' lineup.
More Fantasy News
Likely done for season
Donovan is expected to play only in an emergency during the Cardinals' final series of the season against the Cubs, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports
Analysis
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Idle Friday
Donovan is out of the lineup for Friday's game against the Cubs.
Analysis
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Four doubles in win
Donovan went 4-for-5 with four doubles, one RBI and one run scored in Tuesday's 9-8 win over the Giants.
Analysis
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Late addition to lineup
Donovan (groin) will start at second base and bat leadoff Tuesday against the Giants, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
Analysis
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Not in Tuesday's lineup
Donovan (groin) isn't in the lineup for Tuesday's game against the Giants, John Denton of MLB.com reports.
Analysis
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Latest Fantasy Rumors
Might be target for A's
Jason Burke of SI.com believes that Donovan should be a trade target for the Athletics this offseason.
Analysis
The Cardinals arguably should have been operating as full sellers for the past couple seasons, but they didn't trade away much until this summer's trade deadline, and even then mostly just shed expiring contracts. The organization could commit to a rebuild more fully under new president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom, and Donovan, who underwent hernia surgery in mid-October, would be one of the club's top assets if he's made available. The 29-year-old is under team control through 2027, so the Cardinals won't part with him lightly and could elect to retain him as a key lineup piece.
The Cardinals arguably should have been operating as full sellers for the past couple seasons, but they didn't trade away much until this summer's trade deadline, and even then mostly just shed expiring contracts. The organization could commit to a rebuild more fully under new president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom, and Donovan, who underwent hernia surgery in mid-October, would be one of the club's top assets if he's made available. The 29-year-old is under team control through 2027, so the Cardinals won't part with him lightly and could elect to retain him as a key lineup piece.