Donovan (elbow) is starting in left field Saturday against the Marlins, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Donovan was hit by two pitches during Wednesday's game against the Padres, prompting a day off Thursday to recover. Now seemingly healthy, the 27-year-old super-utility man will return to the top of the Cardinals' lineup and look to stay hot after slashing .308/.438/.500 to begin the year.

Donovan (elbow) is expected to return to the lineup Saturday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

EDGE Analysis

Donovan was dealing with bruising and lingering pain after being hit by pitches in the elbow and bicep early in the season. He sat Thursday as a result, but he isn't expected to miss further time.

Donovan (elbow) won't be in the lineup for Thursday's game against the Marlins, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Donovan was hit twice by pitches during Wednesday's loss to San Diego and had to be removed from the game after taking a sinker off his right elbow. He has played in left field most often to begin the season, so Alec Burleson and Mike Siani will likely receive an increase in playing time while Donovan is out.

Donovan was removed from Wednesday's game versus the Padres after getting hit by a pitch, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat reports.

EDGE Analysis

Donovan became the fourth Cardinal to get hit by a pitch Wednesday when he took a 95-mph sinker off his elbow during the top of the eighth inning -- his second HBP of the game. He remained in to run the bases but was replaced in left field by Mike Siani before the bottom half of the frame. The severity of Donovan's injury is unknown, but getting hit by two pitches may prompt a day off Thursday versus Miami at the very least.

Donovan went 3-for-4 with a two-run home run, a double, a walk and three total runs in a 6-2 win against the Padres on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Donovan capped the scoring for St. Louis with a two-run blast to right field in the sixth inning. He added a single and a double for his first multi-hit game of the campaign. Prior to Monday, Donovan had gone just 2-for-18 with six strikeouts, but he has batted leadoff while starting in left field for each of St. Louis' five games so far, so he appears to be set in that role.

Donovan is expected to get some playing time in the outfield next week, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Donovan was limited to second base early in camp, but manager Oliver Marmol is loosening the reins on his super-utility player. Once the season starts, it's unlikely Donovan will need to play right field much, but he could be valuable cover in left field with Lars Nootbaar (ribs) likely to miss time at the start of 2024. Donovan is still projected to see most of his playing time at second base this season, but his versatility gives Marmol options when constructing his lineup on a daily basis.

Donovan revealed Thursday that his surgery last August was to repair a partial UCL tear in his right elbow, not the flexor tendon as had been previously reported, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Donovan did deal with a flexor strain last season, but the operation he ultimately had was an internal brace procedure to correct his UCL. The 27-year-old has been limited to second base so far in camp as the Cardinals monitor his throwing, but he's played a couple Grapefruit League games and shouldn't be under any restrictions by the time the season begins.

Donovan (elbow) will have his throwing monitored and is likely to play only second base for the time being, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Donovan had surgery last August to repair his right flexor tendon. The utility player had expressed hope last month that he wouldn't be limited at all as camp opened, but evidently the Cardinals have a more cautious plan. Donovan is likely to see most of his action at second base this season but, assuming his elbow cooperates, should play some all over the field.

Donovan (elbow) has two weeks left of a throwing program and expects to have no limitations at the start of spring training, Ben Frederickson of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Donovan underwent surgery in August on his right flexor tendon. The goal, he said Sunday at the Cardinals' Winter Warm-up fan event, is to arrive to spring training and "nobody can tell" he had surgery. Donovan was terrific in 2023 before his season ended in late July, slashing .284/.365/.422 with 11 home runs in 95 contests. Most of his playing time in 2024 will probably come at second base, but he made starts at six different positions last season (not including designated hitter) and will do some bouncing around again as a super utility player.

Donovan (elbow) has begun a throwing program at the Cardinals' spring training complex in Florida, Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

Donovan is coming along in his rehab after undergoing flexor tendon surgery in August. The expectation is that he will be ready to roll once spring training arrives. Donovan is expected to be a regular again for the Cardinals in 2024, although it might not necessarily be at a set position.