St. Louis Cardinals manager Oli Marmol shared encouraging updates on All-Stars Brendan Donovan and Nolan Arenado ahead of Monday’s series opener against the Oakland Athletics at Busch Stadium.
Marmol noted that Donovan, sidelined with foot and groin soreness, completed a full workout that included fielding, running, and hitting. He will repeat the session on Tuesday, and if he responds well, he could soon begin a rehab assignment.
Arenado, dealing with a shoulder strain, is scheduled to return to St. Louis on Wednesday and undergo an evaluation by team doctors Thursday. If cleared, he will work out with the team before the game and could also be sent on a rehab assignment shortly after.
The Cardinals remain mathematically alive in the playoff race, trailing the New York Mets by 5.5 games for the final National League Wild Card spot with one month left in the season. Injuries to Donovan and Arenado have hindered their push. Donovan has been on the injured list since mid-August, while Arenado hasn’t played since July 30 after rehabbing in Jupiter, Florida.
Arenado, a veteran third baseman with eight All-Star selections, is having a down offensive season with a .235 batting average and limited power, though his defensive value remains steady. Donovan, in contrast, is coming off his first All-Star appearance, hitting .279 with nine home runs and 45 RBIs over 110 games.
Currently sitting at 68–70, the Cardinals hold just a 0.9% chance to make the playoffs, according to FanGraphs. To keep their slim hopes alive, they’ll need their All-Stars back on the field quickly.
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