The St. Louis Cardinals are facing a Brendan Donovan decision.
Cardinals Facing Brendan Donovan Decision After Ivan Herrera News originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Brendan Donovan has carved out a role as a versatile utility player in his four seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals. The 28-year-old is capable of handling multiple positions while providing a steady left-handed power bat in the lineup.
Donovan made an immediate impact with the Cardinals and finished third in National League Rookie of the Year voting. He also earned a Gold Glove as a rookie.
In 2025, Donovan earned his first All-Star selection. Through 99 games, he is hitting .288 with a .780 OPS, nine home runs and 42 RBIs.
He remains under team control for the 2026 and 2027 seasons before reaching free agency in 2028.
Ahead of the series opener against the Miami Marlins, the Cardinals placed Ivan Herrera in left field for the first time in his career.
Herrera, who has been taking outfield reps in pregame drills, had started all 11 of his games this month as the designated hitter since returning from a hamstring injury.
Tonight's lineup vs. Miami: pic.twitter.com/HbgGGRnLdO
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) July 28, 2025
With Herrera now an option in left field, Donovan’s multi-position value is reduced for the team — especially once Nolan Gorman returns from his injury. Donovan has filled in at second base, but Gorman expected to return soon following a rehab assignment.
St. Louis has slipped to 54-53 and lost seven of its last 10 games, effectively falling out of the playoff race. As a result, Donovan’s name has surfaced in trade rumors. The Cardinals may face the tough choice of packaging their 2025 All-Star for a prospect haul to help restock the farm system.
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 28, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: Baseball
