Brendan Donovan - Page 26 - MLB News, Rumors, & Updates | FOX Sports

Playing time in question Donovan's path toward consistent playing time is in question since the Cardinals plan to select the contract of Nolan Gorman on Friday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat r...

Impact Donovan drew starts in nine of the last 10 matchups and saw playing time at second base, third base and shortstop. He's hitting .316 with a homer, nine runs, five RBI and a stolen base in the majors, but Gorman will likely see plenty of playing time at second base while Tommy Edman shifts to shortstop. Since Donovan has performed well, it's possible he splits playing time in left field with Corey Dickerson and Juan Yepez since Tyler O'Neill (shoulder) is heading to the 10-day injured list.

MAY 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Solid in doubleheader Donovan went 2-for-5 with four walks, a stolen base and two runs scored across both games of Tuesday's doubleheader versus the Mets.

Impact Donovan's plate discipline has taken a turn skyward lately, as he's walked nine times in the last seven games. The utility man has seen the bulk of his playing time at shortstop or third base -- he'll be part of the mix at the former position in competition with Edmundo Sosa as manager Oli Marmol evaluates his options for a starting role. Donovan is slashing a strong .323/.488/.548 with a home run, five RBI, nine runs scored, a steal and four doubles through his first 18 major-league games.

MAY 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Takes seat Sunday Donovan is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Giants, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Impact Donovan went 6-for-12 with a home run, four doubles, four walks, four RBI and four runs while starting the past five games, and he'll receive a well-deserved day off in the series finale versus San Francisco. Edmundo Sosa will start at shortstop and bat ninth in his place.

MAY 15, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Productive in win Donovan went 2-for-2 with a pair of doubles, two walks, two RBI and three runs scored in Wednesday's 10-1 win over the Orioles.

Impact Donovan recorded his first multi-hit game of the season and also drew a walk for the first time in an impressive showing Wednesday. The 25-year-old boasts defensive versatility, and he's now in the mix to compete for a starting role at shortstop with Paul DeJong optioned to Triple-A Memphis. Donovan has racked up a home run, four RBI, six runs scored and two doubles through 21 plate appearances.

MAY 12, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Homers in loss Donovan went 1-for-3 with a solo home run in Tuesday's loss to the Orioles.

Impact After Paul DeJong was demoted to Triple-A Memphis on Tuesday, Donovan was given the first opportunity to replace him in the lineup at shortstop. The 25-year-old launched a solo homer off Dillon Tate to open the bottom of the ninth inning, narrowing the deficit to the eventual 5-3 final score. The long ball was Donovan's first of the season and he has posted a .188 batting average with two RBI in 16 at-bats this year. He will compete with Edmundo Sosa (illness) for playing time at shortstop with DeJong now out of the picture, though Sosa appears the favorite to command the role.

MAY 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Gets look as starting shortstop Donovan will start at shortstop and bat ninth in Tuesday's game against the Orioles, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

Impact Following the demotion of the struggling Paul DeJong to Triple-A Memphis earlier Tuesday, Donovan will get the first chance to replace him in the starting nine. Donovan turned in a .789 OPS at Memphis prior to earning his first call-up to the majors April 25, but he's seen limited action with the Cardinals thus far, slashing .154/.214/.154 across 14 plate appearances. He likely won't have much time to try and establish himself as the Cards' starting shortstop, as Donovan is expected to face competition for the role as soon as Thursday, when Edmundo Sosa (illness) could be cleared to return from the COVID-19 injured list.

MAY 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Earns first career call-up Donovan was called up for the first time by the Cardinals on Monday.

Impact Donovan, a seventh-round pick in the 2018 draft, doesn't come with tons of prospect pedigree, but he's hit well throughout his minor-league career. In 242 games as a professional, he's hit .285/.386/.429 with 21 homers and 23 steals. He's started at every position except catcher and center field, making him a good candidate for a bench role. Lars Nootbaar was optioned to Triple-A Memphis to clear a roster spot.

APRIL 25, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Denied Opening Day roster spot The Cardinals optioned Donovan to Triple-A Memphis on Sunday, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Impact The 25-year-old submitted a .689 OPS over 32 at-bats during spring training and drew praise from manager Oliver Marmol for his versatility and plate approach, so it wouldn't be surprising if Donovan gets a look with the big club early on during the 2022 season. At least for the start of the campaign, however, he'll head to Memphis to play on an everyday basis.

APRIL 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Making case for Opening Day Donovan is making a case to be a utility man on the Cardinals' Opening Day roster, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

Impact Manager Oliver Marmol has noticed Donovan not just for his bat (3-for-12 with two walks in spring training) but also his defensive versatility. The 25-year-old is a natural second baseman, but he can also play first and third base in addition to all three outfield spots. He also saw 86 innings at shortstop in the minors last season, where he enjoyed a meteoric rise through the Cardinals' farm system. Donovan played in 108 minor-league games in 2021 at the High-A (25), Double-A (50) and Triple-A (33) levels, posting a combined slash line of .304/.399/.455 with 12 home runs, 66 RBI, 73 runs scored and 19 stolen bases. It's too soon to tell if he'll get his first look at the major-league level this year, but he's got the tools to get his foot in the door.

MARCH 24, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Joins 40-man roster Donovan had his contract selected by the Cardinals on Friday.

Impact Donovan is one of St. Louis' top prospects and has been added to the 40-man roster to shield him from the upcoming Rule 5 draft. The 24-year-old began 2021 at Low-A but quickly progressed to Double-A and then Triple-A, where had posted an .868 OPS in 33 games.

NOVEMBER 19, 2021 • ROTOWIRE