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.

The Cardinals placed Donovan on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with a right elbow strain.

EDGE Analysis

The move to the IL comes as little surprise after manager Oliver Marmol said earlier in the day that Donovan will undergo season-ending surgery Wednesday to repair a torn flexor in his right (throwing) arm. Tommy Edman (wrist) was reinstated from the 10-day IL in a corresponding move.

Donovan will undergo season-ending surgery Wednesday to repair the flexor strain in his right arm, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Donovan hasn't been able to play the field since late June because of the lingering flexor strain, and the out-of-contention Cardinals will go ahead and address the issue now rather than waiting until the offseason. The 26-year-old super-utilityman is expected to be ready for the beginning of spring training in 2024. He finishes the 2023 campaign with a .281/.362/.419 batting line across 371 plate appearances.

Donovan is not in the lineup Tuesday versus the Twins.

EDGE Analysis

Donovan still can't throw due to a flexor strain and Jordan Walker is taking a turn as the Cardinals' designated hitter Tuesday against Minnesota. Taylor Motter will play second base with Nolan Gorman (back) also still sidelined.

Donovan is out of the lineup for Sunday's game against the Cubs, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Donovan will continue to see regular rest days while limited to DH duties due to flexor strain, and he'll sit Sunday for the second time in the past three games. Paul Goldschmidt will rest his legs at designated hitter while Alec Burleson starts at first base.

Donovan isn't in the Cardinals' lineup Friday against the Cubs, Lynn Worthy of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

EDGE Analysis

After going 0-for-5 at the plate Thursday, Donovan will take a seat for the beginning of Friday's contest. Willson Contreras will take over as the Cardinals' designated hitter, allowing Andrew Knizner to start behind the dish and bat eighth.

Donovan went 3-for-5 with two runs scored in Monday's 10-6 win over the Diamondbacks.

EDGE Analysis

After being out of the lineup from Thursday to Saturday, Donovan has checked back in for each of the last two games. While his persistent flexor strain continues to limit him to designated hitter, he could find himself out of the lineup when other players need to rest their legs. Donovan has gone 10-for-32 (.313) since the All-Star break, and he has a .287/.371/.430 slash line with 11 home runs, 34 RBI, 44 runs scored and four stolen bases over 90 contests this season.

Donovan remains on the bench for Saturday's game against the Cubs.

EDGE Analysis

Donovan hasn't taken the field since late June while dealing with a flexor strain, but he's made 10 starts as a designated hitter since then, with his 1.042 OPS indicating that the issue seemingly only affects his ability to throw, not hit. He's nonetheless been stuck on the bench for three straight days, first due to a doctor's visit and then due to a pair of matchups against southpaws. (Righty Michael Fulmer will be the first pitcher on the mound for Chicago on Saturday, but lefty Drew Smyly is expected to handle the bulk innings.) Nolan Arenado will fill the DH spot, with Jose Fermin starting at the hot corner.

Donovan's (arm) return to playing the field remains unclear following a visit with an arm specialist in Dallas on Thursday, John Denton of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Donovan has been limited to designated hitter duty for the entirety of July because of a right flexor strain. He'll be shut down from throwing for at least another two weeks and it's not clear when, or if, he'll be allowed to play defense again this season. "I don't have a direction we want to go yet," Donovan said. "We're just kind of figuring out the direction he wants us to go." Donovan didn't play Thursday while traveling for his doctor's visit and isn't starting Friday versus a lefty but should be able to DH sometime over the weekend.

Donovan is not in the starting lineup Friday versus the Cubs, Katie Woo of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Donovan will take a seat as the Cardinals face off with southpaw Justine Steele on Friday. Jose Fermin will draw the start at second base and bat ninth as St. Louis attempts to extend their win streak to seven straight.