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.

–Field Level Media