Whereas some teams might have looked at their organization selling off its three most proven relievers at the Trade Deadline as an act of surrender, Brendan Donovan said those moves actually had the o

ST. LOUIS — Brendan Donovan had every intention of returning to the St. Louis Cardinals’ lineup Monday. The team’s lone All-Star had missed two games with nagging groin discomfort but was hopeful he’d be available — even for one at-bat — in Monday’s series opener against the Colorado Rockies. He sure picked the right time.

Absent for two days to recover from a groin injury that traces back to his toe injury and compromised his swing, All-Star's pinch-hit double downs Rockies, 3-2.

Donovan has been with the Cardinals since 2022, playing next to Tommy Edman during his best season. But he says Winn's defense outweighs any he's seen at the position. Baseball Savant agrees with Donovan, as Winn leads all players with 22 outs above average. Edman posted a 19 OAA in the 2022 season.

St. Louis Cardinals infielder/outfielder Brendan Donovan (groin) remains sidelined for Monday's series opener against the visiting Colorado Rockies at Busch Stadium. Thomas Saggese will make another start at second base and will hit seventh against Rockies rookie right-hander Chase Dollander.

After missing two games with a groin injury, Donovan emerges in the eighth to provide two runs and flip the game for a 3-2 victory at Busch Stadium.

Preview the Aug. 12 matchup between the St. Louis Cardinals and Colorado Rockies with odds over/under, game spread, betting lines and more.