Cardinals 2B Brendan Donovan (foot) a late scratch vs. Yankees

After missing a few games last weekend, St. Louis Cardinals second baseman Brendan Donovan was a late scratch for Friday’s home series opener vs. the New York Yankees due to a foot injury.
This foot injury is reportedly a direct cause of the groin soreness that sidelined Donovan for two games of the Cardinals’ recent series against the Cubs on Aug. 9 and 10. Manager Oliver Marmol said pregame that Donovan’s foot could sideline him for a few days, but didn’t believe it would require a stint on the injured list.
Donovan, who typically serves as the team’s leadoff hitter, is batting .279 this season with a .348 on-base percentage, which rank third and second-best, respectively among the team’s regular starters. He has nine home runs, 45 RBIs, 25 doubles and 63 strikeouts to 40 walks on the season.
Thomas Saggese (.260 over 127 at-bats this season) replaced Donovan at second base and will hit seventh in Friday’s game. Left fielder Lars Nootbaar replaced Donovan in the leadoff spot atop the lineup.