Brendan Donovan Returns to Cardinals After 25-Game Absence

The St. Louis Cardinals just took a tough hit late in the season. Young shortstop Masyn Winn is out for the rest of the year with a meniscus tear in his right knee.

Manager Oliver Marmol confirmed the news after Friday’s 8-2 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers. It’s a frustrating end for the 23-year-old, who’d really started to find his groove.

Fans won’t get to watch Winn again in 2024, but there’s at least a bit of good news. All-Star second baseman Brendan Donovan and pitcher John King are back, so maybe the Cardinals are already thinking about what’s next.

Masyn Winn’s Season Cut Short

Winn last played on Monday before his knee pain forced him out of Friday’s lineup. He tried to power through, but the knee just wouldn’t cooperate.

Marmol said Winn pushed to come back, but the medical staff told him to shut it down. No one wanted to risk making things worse.

In his first full season at shortstop, Winn hit .253 with a .310 on-base percentage. He added nine home runs, 51 RBIs, and nine stolen bases in 129 games.

His bat showed some pop here and there, but his defense really stood out. Winn made just three errors all year—pretty impressive for such a young guy at a tough position.

Marmol Praises Winn’s Dedication

Manager Oliver Marmol had nothing but praise for Winn’s grit and work ethic. “Masyn showed a lot of maturity this season,” Marmol said. “He worked hard every day and earned the respect of both his teammates and coaches.”

That’s the kind of player you want sticking around.

Brendan Donovan Returns to Action

Losing Winn stings, but getting Brendan Donovan back helps soften the blow. Donovan missed 25 games with a strained left groin, but he jumped right back into the top of the order.

He went 1-for-5 in his first game back on Friday. There was a little rust, sure, but he still gave the team solid at-bats—just like always.

Impact on the Cardinals Lineup

With Donovan healthy, the Cardinals hope their infield steadies up and the offense gets a jolt. His versatility and knack for making contact are hard to replace.

Pairing Donovan with the younger guys gives St. Louis a better shot at closing the season strong, even without Winn.

Additional Roster Moves

The Cardinals shuffled things a bit before Friday’s game. Lefty reliever John King came off the injured list, adding another arm to the bullpen.

To make room, they sent Nick Raquet and Jose Fermin down to Triple-A Memphis. That’s just the way it goes this time of year.

Key Takeaways from the Cardinals’ Week

It’s been a week of highs and lows for St. Louis baseball fans:

• Loss of Masyn Winn – A knee injury ends his season. Still, 2024 has shown real growth in his game.
• Return of Brendan Donovan – After almost a month out, Donovan is back and the lineup feels stronger already.
• Reinforcement in the bullpen – John King returns, giving the bullpen some much-needed depth as the season winds down.
• Organizational repositioning – The team’s recent moves hint they’re already thinking about next year.

The rest of the season feels like a balancing act between staying competitive and preparing for what comes next. Young guys like Winn are still the future, and it’s hard not to feel encouraged by his defensive progress, even with the injury.

Donovan’s return brings a lift—not just for the lineup, but for the whole clubhouse. Maybe it’s a small thing, but it’s something to build on as St. Louis looks ahead to 2025.

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