The St. Louis Cardinals dropped a close game to the Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday, falling 10–9. During the game, standout second baseman Brendan Donovan sustained a left foot injury.
The 28-year-old remained in the game until the eighth inning but was held out of Wednesday’s lineup by manager Oliver Marmol. After the game, Donovan spoke with the media and reassured fans that he doesn’t expect to join teammate Jordan Walker on the injured list.
Now in his fourth season with the Cardinals, Donovan has been a consistent contributor, playing second base, shortstop, and left field. Losing him, even temporarily, would be a setback for a Cardinals infield already in need of stability.
According to Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat, Donovan expressed optimism about the injury, saying team trainers “threw the book at it” and found nothing serious. He called a trip to the IL a “worst-case scenario.”
Despite Wednesday’s loss to the Blue Jays, the Cardinals remain above .500 and in second place in the NL Central, trailing the division-leading Cubs by five games. Donovan’s strong play has been key to their success.
A major reason for St. Louis’ competitive start in 2025 has been the team’s relative health—Walker is the only everyday player currently on the IL. Manager Oliver Marmol, the youngest skipper in MLB, has had the luxury of a mostly healthy roster as he pushes for a postseason spot in a tough National League.
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Donovan’s injury may sideline him for a few games, just as the Cardinals begin a crucial series against the Brewers on Thursday.
Though he’s not the team’s most high-profile player, his steady production has been instrumental in keeping St. Louis near the top of the standings. While opposing executives may be frustrated with the Cardinals’ success, the team remains focused on contending in 2025. Even without Donovan for a short stretch, a solid winning streak could vault them into first place.
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