Donovan went 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBI in Friday's 13-9 loss to the Red Sox.

EDGE Analysis

Donovan launched a solo homer off Walker Buehler in the fifth inning and then added RBI singles in the seventh and ninth frames. The 28-year-old is off to a solid start in 2025, hitting .267 with two home runs, six RBI and four runs scored across 33 plate appearances.

Donovan hit his first career home run off a left-handed pitcher Monday, taking Tyler Anderson deep in the Cardinals' loss to the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

Donovan entered the contest homerless in 335 career plate appearances versus southpaws before hitting one out off Anderson in his first trip to the dish Monday. It was his only hit in five plate appearances. Donovan batted third in the Cardinals' first three games versus righties before hitting sixth against a southpaw Monday.

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said Monday that he plans to start Donovan at second base and bat him third in Thursday's opener against the Twins, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Marmol indicated that the Cardinals' lineup for Monday's exhibition game versus Triple-A Memphis -- which features Donovan in the three spot -- is the same setup he is planning for Opening Day. It's a favorable RBI spot for Donovan, who will bat behind Lars Nootbaar and Willson Contreras.

Donovan will start at shortstop for the Cardinals when Masyn Winn has a day off, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Winn's off days will be few and far between, but since the Cardinals aren't carrying a traditional backup shortstop on the roster, Donovan is poised for some reps there. Donovan does have some limited experience at shortstop, having made seven starts there in his career but just one over the last two seasons. It opens up the possibility of Donovan gaining additional position eligibility in fantasy. He will enter the season with eligibility at second base and the outfield and could add shortstop and third base to the list.

Donovan is expected to assume a super utility role this season for the Cardinals, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Had the club been able to trade Nolan Arenado, it was prepared to play Nolan Gorman at third base and give Donovan the lion's share of reps at second base. The keystone might still be where Donovan plays most, but Gorman will also receive starts there, with Donovan seeing plenty of action in left field, as well, particularly on days Lars Nootbaar plays center field. Donovan is also capable of handling third base, first base and shortstop.

Donovan will earn $2.85 million in 2025 after losing his arbitration case Wednesday, Mark Feinsand of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Arbitration-eligible for the first time, Donovan had been hopeful to work out a multi-year extension with the Cardinals this offseason, but the two sides couldn't come to an agreement before the Jan. 9 deadline. He then filed for a $3.3 million salary for 2025, but he'll ultimately have to settle for $450,000 less than that amount after losing his case. The lack of an extension shouldn't affect Donovan's standing in the organization, as he's still expected to serve as a near-everyday player in 2025 after slashing .278/.342/.417 with a career-high 14 home runs and 73 RBI over 652 plate appearances last season.

Donovan went 2-for-3 with a home run, two RBI and two walks in Sunday's win over the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

Donovan opened the game's scoring with a solo shot in the third inning and later added an RBI single in the fifth. It was his second straight multi-hit performance and fifth over his last 11 games. During that span, he posted a 1.045 OPS with five extra-base knocks. Donovan finishes the 2024 campaign with a .278/.342/.417 slash line, 73 RBI and 51 extra-base hits through 153 games.

Donovan went 3-for-5 with a double, two RBI and one run scored in Saturday's 6-5 loss to the Giants.

EDGE Analysis

Donovan was part of a seventh-inning rally for the Cardinals, producing a two-run double before scoring on a Jordan Walker single. With four multi-hit efforts over his last 10 games, Donovan has put together a strong finish to the campaign. The versatile 27-year-old has a .276/.338/.411 slash line with 13 home runs, five stolen bases, 71 RBI, 64 runs scored, 34 doubles and three triples over 152 games.

Donovan is out of the lineup for Thursday's contest in Colorado.

EDGE Analysis

Donovan had started each of the previous 12 tilts but will get a breather for Thursday's matinee. Thomas Saggese will hold down second base and bat sixth for the Cardinals.

Donvan went 4-for-4 with a double and two RBI in a loss to the Pirates on Thursday.

EDGE Analysis

Donovan singlehandedly kept the Cardinals' offense from being impotent in the loss -- he notched four of St. Louis' six hits and drove in both of the team's runs. The utility man has reached base safely in 10 straight games, batting a sizzling .429 (15-for-35) with two homers, four runs and seven RBI over that span. Donovan has brought his season average up to .277 with the hot stretch as he seeks to reach the .280 mark for the third time in three big-league campaigns.