Brendan Donovan's status is still in the air as he aims to avoid the Injured List. Despite indications he might be sidelined, Donovan plans to push hard during Friday's batting practice to assess his readiness for the weekend against the Milwaukee Brewers. While the Cardinals are prepared to face potential challenges during a hectic stretch of games, his absence would be significant, given his impressive .310 batting average and leading stats in hits and doubles this season.

With Donovan's uncertain return, the Cardinals are exploring their options, including Nolan Gorman stepping in as a potential replacement. This decision is compounded by the team's busy schedule, which could leave them shorthanded against the Brewers. If Donovan can't return by Tuesday, younger prospects may get a chance to showcase their skills at the major league level.